Ante Gotovina: Croatian hero or war criminal?

[CroRadio.net]

http://www.euronews.net/index.php?page=info&article=474633&lng=1

http://www.euronews.net/index.php?page=info&article=474633&lng=1#

Ante Gotovina: Croatian hero or war criminal?


Croatian General Ante Gotovina was finally arrested just over two
years ago in a restaurant in Tenerife. He was found to be using one of
a number of false identities which had kept him out of the hands of
the law for four years.

The people of Croatia accused their government of betraying a national
hero. More than half of Croatians today believe he is innocent. Others
claim he is a vulgar playboy who led a debauched lifestyle before the
war as a soldier in the French Foreign Legion.

When Croatia declared independence, Gotovina went home to enlist in
the army. He rose quickly through the ranks to become the top military
commander and was in charge of Operation Storm which took back the
province of Krajina from the Serbs in August 1995.

He was congratulated by nationalist leader Franjo Tudjman as hundreds
of thousands of Serb civilians fled their homes. The operation left
150 people dead and razed villages.

But the war was a long time ago now and, even if justice is seen to be
done, the verdict is likely to be greeted with indifference in
Belgrade.

Gotovina was the last suspected Croatian war criminal wanted by the
International Tribunal.

His trial clears the way for the resumption of negotiations on Croatia
joining the EU.