ZAGREB/POŽEGA, Feb 13 (Hina) - A national body of Homeland Defence War-related associations does not fully support a declaration from Sunday's protest rally in Split, body leaders told reporters in Zagreb on Tuesday. The Split rally,
held to protest against an arrest warrant issued for Mirko Norac, a retired general suspected of war crimes against civilians, was organised by the main national headquarters for the protection of the dignity of Croatia's early 1990s war of independence from the ex-Yugoslavia The Split headquarters had its own rally, while our rally in Zagreb on Thursday will adopt its own conclusions, the leaders said. They demand that parliament pass a law on the protection of the honour and dignity of the Homeland Defence War, believing a declaration, adopted by parliament last autumn, is not sufficient to protect the values of that war. They called on the Croatian people to support the Z
ZAGREB/POŽEGA, Feb 13 (Hina) - A national body of Homeland Defence
War-related associations does not fully support a declaration from
Sunday's protest rally in Split, body leaders told reporters in
Zagreb on Tuesday.
The Split rally, held to protest against an arrest warrant issued
for Mirko Norac, a retired general suspected of war crimes against
civilians, was organised by the main national headquarters for the
protection of the dignity of Croatia's early 1990s war of
independence from the ex-Yugoslavia
The Split headquarters had its own rally, while our rally in Zagreb
on Thursday will adopt its own conclusions, the leaders said.
They demand that parliament pass a law on the protection of the
honour and dignity of the Homeland Defence War, believing a
declaration, adopted by parliament last autumn, is not sufficient
to protect the values of that war.
They called on the Croatian people to support the Zagreb rally in a
dignified manner, peacefully and responsibly.
The leaders reiterated that political party representatives would
not speak at the rally even though all parties were called on to join
in the protests.
They added they had failed to find a common ground during today's
talks with Deputy Prime Minister Goran Granic.
More than 1,000 people, including veterans, rallied in the eastern
town of Pozega today, voicing their support to general Norac, whose
whereabouts are unknown.
The protesters objected to the criminalisation of the Homeland
Defence War and investigations into Croatian veterans, wondering
when those who committed crimes against Croats would be
prosecuted.
They said the government could be changed only with democratic
elections, and that no one should think they would resort to arms or
allow to be manipulated.
(hina) ha