The head of the local HVIDRA, Zeljko Strize, said that the placard would not be removed because it was on private property and that it would remain there indefinitely. He called on members of veterans' associations and citizens to join HVIDRA members in guarding the placard.
Strize dismissed media claims that the placard was set up on purpose to coincide with the second round of presidential elections, and reiterated that the act was a sign of protest against the policy which he said was aimed at extraditing a Homeland War hero to the UN war crimes tribunal in The Hague.
"We demand from the state leadership to organise a referendum on cooperation with the Hague tribunal and to redefine General Gotovina's role in the Homeland War," Strize said, adding that the local veterans' association would ask the Kastela Town Council to declare Gotovina an honorary citizen.
The setting up of the placard was financed by local business people who wanted to warn the state leadership and the international community that they would not tolerate Gotovina being equated with the aggressors, Strize said.
HVIDRA leaders criticised what they called "the unfair and unprofessional conduct of the police" who they said yesterday threatened arrest if the placard was not removed. They added that they would prevent any attempt to remove the placard.
Asked whether they would again prevent the president of the state to visit Kastela, regardless of who would win the second election round on January 17, as was the case with incumbent President Stjepan Mesic two years ago, the veterans said that all who did not claim that Croatia had to apologise to the aggressor for war victims were free to visit Kastela.
Commenting on the placard, Kastela Mayor Ante Sanader told Hina that the act was inappropriate because Gotovina's family itself was against it and had warned associations from Zadar not to set up again a placard with Gotovina's image that was recently removed from the city.