Re: B.C. Handyman Denies Being In Serbian Forces During Fall Of 1991, Dec. 7.

In recently published articles related to deportation proceedings initiated by the government of Canada against Josip Budimcic, a Croatian citizen wanted for war crimes committed during his service with a Serbian paramilitary forces, your readers may have been left with an inaccurate impression of the fairness of Croatia's judicial system in matters related to the prosecution of suspected war criminals.

The Republic of Croatia has been active in prosecuting war crimes -- hundreds have been convicted, many proceedings are currently underway and international arrest warrants for 600 war crimes suspects have been issued. Those individuals already convicted of war crimes in absentia are entitled to seek re-trial upon their return to Croatia. In recent years, countries including Australia, Bulgaria, Germany and the United States have extradited suspected war criminals to Croatia, and extradition proceedings are currently underway in several other countries. The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) has expressed confidence in the Croatian judicial system by transferring several high-profile cases to Croatia. It is also important to note that Croatia co-operates closely with relevant authorities in Canada on matters related to war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The Republic of Croatia believes that all states have a common responsibility to ensure that crimes against humanity and war crimes are not left unpunished. We have to reassure those whose lives have been changed forever by horrific crimes against humanity that we are all willing and ready to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights and hope for the future.

Vesela Mrden Korac, Croatian ambassador to Canada, Ottawa.