DEBLOCKED ROAD IN SINJ, NEW BLOCKADES ANNOUNCED

SINJ, March 25 (Hina) - The Zagreb-Split highway in Sinj was unblockaded Tuesday morning. It was blockaded by decision of the Croatian Homeland War invalids association (HVIDRA) at 11am Monday, when they received word of a verdict passed by Rijeka County Court to retired General Mirko Norac. New blockades have been announced, to which Veterans Minister Ivica Pancic said such an expression of dissatisfaction was contrary to national interests. #L# The decision to clear the road was made at a joint meeting of the coordinating body of town and municipal leaders and veterans' associations in the Cetina region, which was also attended by the guardian of the Our Lady of Sinj Sanctuary, Mirko Maric. At the meeting, which lasted for three hours, participants also agreed to initiate a petition across Croatia, which will be forwarded to the Supreme Court along with an appeal to the verdicts to Norac and others from the Gospic Group. HVIDRA president Andrija Bartulic said in Split today that the association members would soon block roads across the country, as an expression of solidarity with those convicted in the Rijeka County Court. Bartulic told a news conference that the verdict had humiliated the Croatian people forever, and the evil voiced in the courtroom would never again be removed. He criticised representatives of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) who did not attend today's meeting to reach an agreement on further protests. Some 50 citizens took to the streets in Split today and blockaded a street for half an hour. The citizens held up two noticeable signs which said "We Shall Try You Too" and "Down With Racan's Government". In comment of the blockade of roads, especially ahead of the tourist season, Minister Pancic said this was contrary to national interests. Expressing dissatisfaction is allowed, but in line with legal provisions, Pancic told a news conference. (hina) lml sb