Hongarije vraagt Brussel om bewijs dat Kroatië omstreden generaal verbergt (en)

Brussels should prove its allegations about the whereabouts of a Croatian fugitive general if that is a reason for postponing EU accession talks with Zagreb, according to the Hungarian Prime Minister.

Speaking on his visit to Croatia on Tuesday (8 February), Hungarian leader Ferenc Gyurscany said the EU must prove that wanted Croatian general Ante Gotovina was indeed in Croatia if it wanted to make his extradition a condition for starting the negotiations with Zagreb, AFP reported.

"If anyone says this (that Gotovina is in Croatia) then the proof should be shared with all of the European Union's member states," said Mr Gyurcsany, and added that "a serious conflict that could influence the fate of a nation must be backed up by proof".

The European Commission warned Zagreb last month that it must bring the indicted General Gotovina to the Hague war crimes tribunal if it wants to start entry talks with the EU on 17 March, as planned.

Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn i suggested that the Croatian authorities were deliberately failing to arrest the general and had been in contact with him.

Zagreb has denied the accusations, but promised to step up its efforts to track down General Gotovina.

Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader joined his Hungarian counterpart on Tuesday and asked for proof from the international community.

"It is a justifiable demand to see the information relating to Gotovina," he was quoted as saying by AFP.