Bosnia’s Proposal to Prosecute Croatian Generals Sparks Controversy

Controversy simmered on Monday in the wake of media reports at the weekend that the Bosnian state prosecution has asked Croatia if it can take over proceedings against 14 Croatian generals who are reportedly suspected of committing war crimes during the Croatian Army's 1995 Operation Flash.

Josip Salapic, state secretary of the Ministry of Justice and Administration, confirmed to N1 TV on Monday that Croatia has received "an international request for certain legal assistance" and that the Ministry will be assessing whether it will forward the documentation to the State Attorney's Office, which can then decide "whether to launch an investigation or not".

Salapic also expressed discontent with the Bosnian proposal to prosecute officers involved in the Operation Flash, which saw the Croatian Army oust Serb rebel forces in and around the Croatian town of Pakrac.

"We are not happy with what is happening in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The legal defence of the country from aggressors cannot be used for [Bosnia's] everyday political purposes," he said.

The Croat member of the Bosnian tripartite presidency, Zeljko Komsic, said on Monday that if the legal request involves Operation Flash or 1995's Operation Storm, there is no legal basis for it.

"Even if there was such a crime, it was not committed on the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina or against Bosnian citizens," Komsic said.

Croatian media have reported that 14 senior Croatian officers are under suspicion, including wartime commander generals Pavao Miljavac, Mladen Markac, Marijan Marekovic, Davor Domazet Loso and Luka Dzanko.

Reports said that the generals are suspected of issuing orders during Operation Flash for indiscriminate shelling and artillery fire against...