"We dismiss with indignation claims that the initiative is linked to the presidential elections or any other future elections, because the Druzba Adria project is harmful for our children's future and that is the only and sufficiently strong motive to say 'no' to the project," Franciscan dignitary Zoran Milic said.
The initiative, which was launched by the Croatian Bishops' Conference, was later joined by the Council of Franciscan Communities in Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina and members of some 20 Catholic associations and movements.
Representatives of Catholic associations today again urged the Government, the Parliament and the Ministry of the Sea, Tourism, Transport and Development to voice by January 15 next year their position
on the letter of Catholic associations of December 13 urging the government to walk out of the project or they would continue with protests, including the signing of a petition and a referendum.
The associations supported the establishment of an international commission to draw up an independent study on the effect of the project on the ecological system of the Adriatic Sea.