The European Parliament's rapporteur on Croatia, Hannes Swoboda, said on Friday the Hague war crimes tribunal's severe sentences against Croatian generals Ante Gotovina and Mladen Markac did not mean that the 1995 Operation Storm was not entirely justified.
The Hague tribunal today sentenced Gotovina and Markac to 24 and 18' years imprisonment respectively for involvement in a joint criminal enterprise aimed at forcibly and permanently removing the Serb population from occupied parts of Croatia during and after Operation Storm. The tribunal acquitted General Ivan Cermak and ordered his immediate release.
Speaking to reporters, Swoboda said the punishment was severe and that it was not up to him to say whether it was justified or not, but added that the sentences could be appealed and that he understood the emotions in Croatia.
Swoboda said the military operation whereby Croatia liberated a large part of its territory was entirely justified.
What Croatia did was entirely justified and this sentence is not a rejection of Croatia's right and obligation to defend itself. This is about the tribunal's position on what the two generals did within justified self-defence, Swoboda said, adding that this should in no way be linked with Croatia's bid to join the European Union.
These two things should be viewed separately, he said, voicing hope that the accession negotiations would be completed soon.
