PM SUPPORTS RIGHT TO PROTEST, BUT CONDEMNS POLITICAL WAR SLOGANS

ZAGREB, Feb 11 (Hina) - Ahead of his departure to Poland, Croatian Prime Minister Ivica Racan, at the Zagreb airport on Sunday evening, commented on today's protests held across Croatia against the arrest of retired general Mirko Norac. Racan expressed satisfaction that all of the protests, particularly the greatest one in Split, were held in a peaceful atmosphere and without violence, condemning, however political war slogans. He also expressed hope Croatia would no longer suffer financial damage caused by roadblocks. "The government's firm standpoint is: democratic dialogue - yes, peaceful protests - yes, violence - no," the Prime Minister stressed. Racan particularly condemned war political slogans against the democratically elected authorities, adding that this serious political issue would be discussed within next several days at the political level. Commenting on a declaration, read today at the protest in Split, Racan said it was an attack on the democratically elected authorities, adding that the Croatian Democratic Union was behind it. The Prime Minister said that his visit to Poland was not put into question at any time due to the protests in Croatia. "I am absolutely sure that the great majority of the Croatian population, regardless of how satisfied or dissatisfied they are with the current situation, will know how to defend democracy in this country, because they will not harm themselves and their interests", the Prime Minister concluded. (hina) it