Advisor to the President of Croatia, retired General Marijan Marekovic, claims that it is not true that the President of that country requested that the army be sent to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). However, Jutarnji list found out how it happened in March this year.
Four members of the Honor Guard Battalion were sent to Bugojno for the funeral of the mortal remains of four members of the Croatian Defence Council (HVO).
It was Marekovic who was the President’s envoy at that event. He was accompanied by Foreign Minister Gordan GrlicRadman. The photos published by fenix-magazin.de clearly show that members of the Honor Guard Battalion were also present during the laying of wreaths by General Marekovic and Minister Radman.
According to the Law on Defense, “decisions on crossing the border for members of the Croatian Army when it comes toprotocol-ceremonial activities, as well as of levels for platoonand lower units are made by the Minister of Defense.”
In this case, it was about four members of the Honor GuardBattalion, and the President signed the decision on their engagement and sent it to the Chief of the General Staff, Admiral Robert Hranj.
After that, he wrote an order for them to be sent to BiH. According to the interlocutors, members of the Battalion had already set off when they realized in the General Staff that they could not send soldiers across the border without a decision from the Minister of Defense.
At a subsequent request from the General Staff, the Minister of Defense signed a decision to prevent an international scandal. Members of the Battalion were waiting for the decision in Split and after it was signed, they left for Bugojno.
E.Dz.
Source: Klix.ba
