ZAGREB, Oct 18 (Hina) - The ruling coalition firmly defends the right to freedom of expression, including the right to public criticism, however, the motives and objectives of individuals who hide behind some war veterans'
associations and plan the Saturday protest rally in downtown Zagreb are more than disputable, reads a joint statement signed by the leaders of Croatia's five-party ruling coalition, distributed to reporters after a meeting of the coalition in parliament on Thursday. Nobody in democratic Croatia can hide behind the Croatian people or speak on its behalf without having been given the mandate to do so in a vote. Nobody can arbitrarily judge the democratically elected authorities and, using the language of hatred, label it a traitorous and puppet authority. The organisers and those hiding behind them are doing exactly that by trying to manipulate some war veterans, reads the statement, addin
ZAGREB, Oct 18 (Hina) - The ruling coalition firmly defends the
right to freedom of expression, including the right to public
criticism, however, the motives and objectives of individuals who
hide behind some war veterans' associations and plan the Saturday
protest rally in downtown Zagreb are more than disputable, reads a
joint statement signed by the leaders of Croatia's five-party
ruling coalition, distributed to reporters after a meeting of the
coalition in parliament on Thursday.
Nobody in democratic Croatia can hide behind the Croatian people or
speak on its behalf without having been given the mandate to do so in
a vote. Nobody can arbitrarily judge the democratically elected
authorities and, using the language of hatred, label it a
traitorous and puppet authority. The organisers and those hiding
behind them are doing exactly that by trying to manipulate some war
veterans, reads the statement, adding even the president of the
leading opposition party has joined in creating an atmosphere of
political crisis with an absurd fabrication that people close to
the coalition are preparing to instigate disorder at the Saturday
rally.
The authorities' efforts to establish the rule of law are being
described as a national treason while the Homeland War is being used
as a mask for individuals who are trying to cover up personal guilt
and their murky past, compensate for the loss of privileges, and
realise their open political ambitions.
This country has never been in greater need of peace and national
consensus on crucial issues, the more so as it is faced with a
growing danger of terrorism and its consequences, which have been
reflecting on Croatia as well, the statement reads.
(hina) sb rml