EU warns it will delay talks with Croatia

The EU Observer reported Monday although accession talks are expected to begin March 17, the European Commission warned it will not recommend Croatia for membership due to its lack of cooperation in the Hague trial of indicted Gen. Ante Gotovina. The general, indicted for killings during and after the city of Zagreb's final offensive against rebel Serbs in August 1995, disappeared the day before his indictment was made public in July 2001. According to Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn, the Croatian government has had some indirect contact with general.