"I'm not in favour of quarrelling and tensions, but we must protect the dignity of our people, our state and our legal, political and constitutional system," Bebic told reporters after a ceremony marking Archive Day in Zagreb.

Bebic said he had not attended a parliamentary debate on the bill because he had been in Dubrovnik as host of a session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly.

"I don't know details, but the proposed declaration, which I haven't read either, calls for cooperation," Bebic said. "I always support cooperation, but I'm against people from the outside judging who did what in Croatia. Crimes were also committed at the Stajicevo camp (in Serbia), so they should prosecute them," he added.