PM COMMENTS ON PROCLAMATION OF HOMELAND WAR HEADQUARTERS

ZAGREB, Oct 10 (Hina) - Prime Minister Ivica Racan maintains it is unacceptable that anyone should assume the right to evaluate and topple the government as they please, instead of the Croatian people in a democratic ballot, and that it is equally unacceptable that those perhaps behind it should keep quiet. Racan commented in parliament on Wednesday on a proclamation whereby the national headquarters for the protection of the dignity of the Homeland War called on citizens to take part in a protest rally in Zagreb on Oct. 20. Marin Jurjevic of the ruling coalition's Social Democrats (SDP) quoted part of the proclamation reading that "the authorities breaching their own Constitution are neither the people's nor legitimate nor democratic nor constitutional nor Croatian, but puppet and traitorous authorities." He then asked what the government thought of such "grave and previously rarely heard attacks on the incumbent Croatian authorities." Racan said it was a typical example of the language of hatred which should become the subject of a debate in state institutions. Democratic institutions and democratically elected authorities cannot be overthrown by violence, instigation to violence, or self- styled judgements by political forces - signatories to such documents - and by those behind the signatories, the PM said. He maintains "this kind of attack on democratic institutions and democratically elected authorities is simultaneously an attack on the majority of citizens who voted for democratic authorities." In compliance with its legal powers, the government will know how to defend the security and stability of Croatia as its obligation, Racan said. (hina) ha sb