ZAGREB, June 15 (Hina) - Croatian war veterans on Saturday held the first convention of Croatian Homeland War Volunteers in Zagreb, calling for changes to the Law on Soldiers' Rights as well as different treatment of war volunteers,
and greater unity among volunteers' associations. The event was organised by the National Co-ordinating Body of Homeland War Associations.
ZAGREB, June 15 (Hina) - Croatian war veterans on Saturday held the
first convention of Croatian Homeland War Volunteers in Zagreb,
calling for changes to the Law on Soldiers' Rights as well as
different treatment of war volunteers, and greater unity among
volunteers' associations. The event was organised by the National
Co-ordinating Body of Homeland War Associations. #L#
According to the conclusions adopted at the convention, which were
read out by the president of the Association of Independent
Croatian Volunteers (NDH), Slavica Hruskar, volunteers demand that
the Law on Soldiers' Rights be changed back to the Law on Soldiers'
Rights of 1996. Volunteers are dissatisfied with the situation in
society, the relationship towards them, and the loss of their
acquired rights, and demand a more active role in the social and
economic life. They also request that the terms "Homeland War" and
"volunteer" be defined, that their social status be improved, and
war reparations collected from the aggressor.
The first convention of Homeland War volunteers was attended by
some 200 deputies from 14 associations, who stressed the need for
the unification of volunteer associations.
NDH president Hruskar said the volunteers were determined to defend
what they considered their rights and not privileges.
War Veterans Minister Ivica Pancic called on the gathered to unite
"but not under the patronage of the authorities".
The soldiers should be the moral authority of the Croatian state,
which they are not at present, Pancic said, adding that both the
former and current authorities were responsible for this.
Stressing the need for cooperation between his ministry and
volunteers' associations, Pancic announced a number of changes in
the ministry's relationship to the volunteers.
The gathered were also addressed by MPs Juraj Njavro and Ljubo Cesic
Rojs, who criticised the former and current authorities' attitude
to the volunteers, and called on the volunteers to unite.
The convention was also addressed by the leaders of other
volunteers' associations.
(hina) rml