ZAGREB, CROATIA - The claims by the SDP (Social Democratic Party) member Nenad Stazic, that the USKOK (Office for the Suppression of Corruption and Organized Crime) has been investigating the acquisition of 39 trucks for the Ministry of Defence, during Berislav Roncevic’s mandate, are not true, according to USKOK.

I have nothing against founding a parliamentary committee. I am calm and I will be happy if this investigation contributes to cleaning up some misconceptions.

Berislav Roncevic

“USKOK never received any offence reports linked to that case, but the case was initiated on the basis of a newspaper article from 2007. After that we sought studies from the responsible institutions, needed documentation and expert analyses. We looked over them and at the end of 2008 we handed them over to the police directorate and requested criminal processing” said Vuk Djuricic, the spokesperson of USKOK.

We unofficially find out that the police directorate should do its part of the work soon, which would give this case an epilogue.

Committee Seeks Investigation Against Ex-Minister.

Remember, during today’s sitting of parliament, members of the parliamentary committee for defence unanimously accepted the proposal to form an investigative committee that would enlighten the case involving the acquisition of 39 trucks for the Ministry of Defence, during Berislav Roncevic’s mandate.

The SDP (Social Democratic Party) member Nenad Stazic reminded why the committee is important, mentioning the case in 2004 when the Ministry of Defence filed a competition for the acquisition of 76 trucks. 23 manufacturers responded to the competition, but because the price of the cheapest offer was three million kuna over the foreseen budget, minister Roncevic founded a special committee for the acquisition of the trucks, with the task of direct negotiations. However, the direct talks ended with the purchase of 39 trucks, whose price was 15 million kuna more than the most expensive offer for all 76 trucks.