Zagorec: There Were No Jewels

General Vladimir Zagorec gave a surprising interview to the Austrian ORF and Kronen Zeitung.

By not turning up for a press conference on Wednesday in Austria’s De France Hotel, retired Croatian General Vladimir Zagorec refused to talk to Croatian media. But, he spoke with Austrian media, which was his first after his release from detention. He gave an interview to the Austrian ORF public television and Kronen Zeitung daily. 

Zagorec: Friendly countries helped us in the purchase of weapons, meaning not individuals, but friendly countries which silently tolerated weapons being sold to Croatia. The Croatian state leadership and the state leadership of those countries were informed about that.

Reporter: Was Austria one of these countries?

Zagorec: It was very important for Austria that Croatia become independent. In my opinion, there would have been no Croatia had Austria not helped politically, with humanitarian actions, economically and every other way. Austria was, thus, very important.

Reporter: The Austrian judiciary is important for Zagorec because it will be deciding on his extradition to Croatia. Did you embezzle or steal jewels worth five million dollars?

Zagorec: All I can say is that the whole thing was fabricated because there were no jewels, nor was that a way in which the Defence Ministry purchased weapons or functions at all.

I cannot even understand the accusation that an arms trader let us have jewels as collateral and that he would then deliver the weapons to us. It is illogical.

Reporter: Zagorec is also refuting that he had received commission for the purchase of weapons. But, where does the starting capital for his real-estate business in Vienna come from?

Zagorec: I did not invest my money, nor did I have millions at the beginning. I found some investors here who were prepared to invest in Croatia. Also, I found banks that were prepared to cover the investors.

Reporter: The former general sees himself as a victim of a political struggle for authority in Croatia. In any case, he could have an important role in Croatia’s dispute surrounding the large weapons deal. A former arms trader is demanding 200 million dollars for a weapons system he had allegedly delivered to Croatia.

Zagorec: We received that system, S-300 in the Republic of Croatia in 1995. Today there is a dispute about the system because it had never been paid. These proceedings between Croatia and the arms dealer could also be a reason for attacking me because I am the crucial witness who can confirm that the rockets were delivered, but never paid for. Perhaps this is why they want to render me implausible so that they do not have to pay the arms trader.

Reporter: In any case, Zagorec is not counting on a fair trial in Croatia. His attorneys in Vienna are trying to prevent the extradition by all legal means. According to them, the entire indictment was fabricated and false, which the Croatian judiciary is refuting.