LIOVIC REMAINS AT HELM OF HVIDRA

ZAGREB, June 28 (Hina) - Marinko Liovic remains at the helm of the Association of county associations of Croatian Homeland Defence War Invalids (HVIDRA), and remains on duty until a new electoral assembly planned for next January. All the current association bodies also received votes of confidence. Although there had been announcements that today's session will be dedicated to the election of a new leadership, the HVIDRA chapter in Split-Dalmatia County suggested only a vote of confidence to the current leadership. They explained they had no time to prepare for the assembly, being "subjected to frequent physical and psychological threats". "The HVIDRA and invalids are not parasites, but are living monuments to the Homeland and its independence," Liovic told reporters. He added the HVIDRA wants to help the people-elected government in the building of a modern and European Croatia. Asked to explain the threats against Split-Dalmatia members, he said they were being followed and tapped by secret services, received threatening telephone calls. All Croatia-oriented people are being monitored by secret services, Liovic claimed. He added that HVIDRA members are having their documents on invalidity annulled, and added his flat was ransacked by military and civilian police. Present at the electoral assembly were members of the Croatian Democratic Union, Croatian Social Liberal Party, Croatian Party of Rights, Croatian Identity and Prosperity party, associations of retired generals and representatives of Homeland Defence War associations. Ivic Pasalic accused the current authorities of criminalising the homeland war, and added he advocated the establishment of a Croatian block which would gather all people who think this government should be replaced. The assembly was also addressed by assistant Croatian defence war minister Blazenka Gogic, who was booed, but Liovic defended her saying she was the "bright example" in the ministry. She admitted there has been misunderstanding between the ministry and the veterans, and said common ground should be found in the dialogue. (hina) lml sb