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Croatia Must Surrender War Criminals To Join the Council of Europe By Thierry Leveque STRASBOURG, June 7 (Reuters) - The Council of Europe on Friday demanded that Croatia arrest and hand over alleged war criminals to the U.N. war crimes tribunal as a condition for membership of the Council. It is the latest exchange in the bid by Croatia's President Franjo Tudjman to join the Council as a prelude to European Union status. "Croatia must immediately arrest and hand over to the Tribunal... those individuals accused of having committed war crimes and other violations of human rights," a memorandum accompanying a letter to the Croatian government from the 39-nation Council said. The demand was one of 14 conditions set for Croatia's membership by the Council, which promotes democracy and human rights in Europe. The Council froze its scrutiny of Croatia's application on May 14. The U.N. tribunal in the Hague is to try war criminals under the Dayton agreement which ended the war in Bosnia. The Council of Europe documents referred specifically to alleged war crimes committed at the village of Stupni Do in 1993 and the Lasva valley in 1992 and 1993. The tribunal has indicted Croatian General Ivica Rajic for involvement in the killing of 16 civilians in Stupni Do and is seeking Bosnian Croat General Tihomir Baskic and five of his collaborators in connection with Lasva killings. Croatia must cooperate fully with all tribunal inquiries, the Council said. Croatia and Bosnia have already adopted laws enabling extradition of indicted war criminals, as required by the Dayton agreement. Other Council conditions stipulated that Croatia: Facilitate free elections in Bosnia and particularly in the city of Mostar, scene of persistent tension between Croats and Muslims, where polls are set for June 30 Amnesty war prisoners Allow the return of Serb refugees Stop interfering with independent news media Set a schedule for municipal elections in Zagreb by the opposition-dominated city council. "An early reply from your government will allow the Council of Ministers (representatives of the council members) to resume the examination of Croatia's membership as early as possible," the letter from the President of the Council of Ministers, Estonia's Slim Kallas, said.

Berserkistan, June 5 · Suing an Editor to Protect Law and Order in Croatia
Berserkistan, May 29 · Croatia's Ruling Party Denies Blacklisting Opponents
Berserkistan, May 17 · After European Snub, Croatia Promises More Democracy
Berserkistan, May 17 · Journalists to be Tried in June for Libeling Croatia's Tudjman
Berserkistan, May 16 · Europe's Rejection of Croatia Dismays Croats Seeking Democracy
Berserkistan, May 14 · Civil Liberties Crackdown Delays Croatia's European Plans
Berserkistan, May 10 · Croatia Accuses Its Human Rights Chief
Berserkistan, April 2 · Survivors Tell of Killings at Stupni Do
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