SIBENIK-KNIN COUNTY AGAINST ARRESTS OF VETERANS

SIBENIK, Sept 10 (hina) - The Sibenik-Knin County headquarters for the protection of the Homeland War dignity, prefect Gordan Baraka of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), and mayors and municipal heads from Sibenik-Knin County, which is ruled by the HDZ, the Croatian Identity and Prosperity (HIP) association, the Croatian Pure Party of Rights (HCSP), the Croatian Party of Rights (HSP) and the Croatian People's Party (HNS) have demanded that the arrests of war veterans stop immediately. In a letter forwarded to the government after Monday's meeting, the Sibenik-Knin County officials have also urged that the arrested veterans defend themselves in freedom and that they not be called war criminals. The officials have said it is unacceptable to prosecute Croatian veterans while numerous crimes against the Croatian people committed by the occupying forces go unpunished. They believe that the arrests of Homeland War veterans aim at diverting public attention from economic and social problems. Members of the Social Democratic Party, the HNS and the Croatian Social Liberal Party declined an invitation to today's meeting. Present were representatives of the parties of the so-called Croatian Bloc and a HNS representative. (hina) it sb