VETERANS: AUTHORITIES FAIL TO CARRY OUT HOMELAND WAR DECLARATION

ZAGREB, June 20 (Hina) - An association of Croatian Homeland War veterans (UHVDR) condemns all bodies of Croatia's incumbent executive and legislative authorities that have failed to meet commitments under a Declaration on Homeland War adopted by the Croatian parliament on 13 October last year. UHVDR claims that this failure has caused huge dissatisfaction among war veterans with non-functioning of the law-based state, the association stated on Wednesday. UHVDR will not accept any decision of the authorities which may be contrary to the said declaration. It will insist on the consistent implementation of the agreement reached by the co-ordination of veterans' associations, similar societies and the war veterans' ministry. The association will conduct all legal activities to express its disobedience in case that principles of the agreement are not respected. UHVDR supports other societies' bids to prevent trials of Croatian officers liable (for alleged crimes) according to their commanding responsibility. It also backs a protest rally announced for 25 June in the seaport of Rijeka and calls on its members to join in the demonstrations which will be staged by the central headquarters for the protection of the Homeland War's dignity, on the occasion of the commencement of a trial of General Mirko Norac and other members of the 'Gospic Group', accused of war crimes against Serbian civilians in the central town of Gospic in 1991. (hina) sb ms