Croatian apology to Israel

President Mesic apologised for Croatia's role in the death of 30,000 Jews

Croatian President Stipe Mesic, on a state visit to Israel, has apologised for his country's persecution of Jews during World War II.

Speaking to Israeli parliament, the Knesset, he asked for Israel's forgiveness for the deaths of up to 30,000 Jews in the country by the Ustashe government, Croatia's war-time fascist regime.

"Whatever evil, whatever wrong the Croats may have inflicted upon others, including of course the Jews, deeply affects me, and therefore I believe that one should certainly apologise," he said.

Mr Mesic also said in a meeting with the director of the Simon Wiesenthal Centre in Israel, Efraim Zuroff, that any individuals suspected of involvement in war crimes who were still at large would be brought to justice.

He added that Mr Zuroff had already provided information on two alleged Croatian Nazi criminals living in exile in Argentina.

Rift with Israel

The Croatian president, due to meet Israel's Prime Minister Ariel Sharon during his visit, aimed to appease a strain that had existed between the two countries since Croatia's nationalist predecessor.

President Mesic: Nazi war criminals will be brought to justice

Franjo Tudjman had played down Croatia's war-time role in killing thousands of Jews, gypsies and anti-fascists in notorious concentration camps, leading to a serious rift with Israel.

Diplomatic ties were not re-established until September 1997, six years after Croatia proclaimed independence from Yugoslavia.

Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres said the visit marked a "new chapter" in ties with Croatia, and that Israel would give serious thought to building a new embassy in the Balkan state.