SOCIAL DEMOCRATS' BRANCH ON ALKA ORGANISERS' SPONSORSHIP DECISION

SINJ, July 16 (Hina) - The Sinj branch of the Social Democratic Party on Tuesday reacted to a decision made by the Administrative Board of the Society of Alka Knights (VAD) that the sponsor of this year's Alka tournament, be "the Croatian populace of the Sinj and Cetina region". The SDP issued a press statement in which it notes that it is not clear on what basis and authority the VAD administration can speak on behalf of residents of this area. #L# "Without bringing into question the autonomy of decision making by the VAD administration board, we must nevertheless ask who authorised the board and on what democratic principles the decision was made to proclaim the 'populace' of Sinj and Cetina Region to be the sponsor of this year's Alka tournament," the SDP asks. "When did the populace express its desire to be the sponsor of the Alka tournament which has clearly become a political tool in the hands of certain individuals," the SDP branch in this southern town wonders and estimates that the VAD administration is covering up its inability and irresponsibility with the people. The VAD administration made the decision of the Alka sponsorship on July 12. The traditional sponsor has so far been the president of the state however this year, President Stjepan Mesic refused to accept this role because he was not sure the board could guarantee that there would not be any negative incidents at this year's event. Last year he was insulted and the winner of the tournament was not allowed to accept the president's gifts. VAD however, says that nothing occurred that was in contradiction to the Statute of the Society of Alka Knights. (hina) sp ms