ZAGREB, Oct 20 (Hina) - The president of the national headquarters for the protection of Homeland War values, Mirko Condic, is satisfied with the turnout at and course of "Time's Up", Saturday's protest rally in downtown Zagreb,
describing it as very successful. "I'm very satisfied as once again, the Croat has shown peace, pride and dignity in impossible circumstances, under a media blockade and the demonising of the institution I represent," Condic told Hina. The rally in Ban Jelacic Square gathered tens of thousands of protesters who, carrying banners and Croatian flags, expressed support to the headquarters' demands of the government. Among the protesters were numerous politicians, including MPs of the opposition's Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), Democratic Centre (DC), Party of Rights (HSP), Christian Democrats (HKDU), and Dorica Nikolic, Josko Kontic, and Zeljko Glavan of the ruling coalition's Social Liberals (H
ZAGREB, Oct 20 (Hina) - The president of the national headquarters
for the protection of Homeland War values, Mirko Condic, is
satisfied with the turnout at and course of "Time's Up", Saturday's
protest rally in downtown Zagreb, describing it as very
successful.
"I'm very satisfied as once again, the Croat has shown peace, pride
and dignity in impossible circumstances, under a media blockade and
the demonising of the institution I represent," Condic told Hina.
The rally in Ban Jelacic Square gathered tens of thousands of
protesters who, carrying banners and Croatian flags, expressed
support to the headquarters' demands of the government.
Among the protesters were numerous politicians, including MPs of
the opposition's Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), Democratic
Centre (DC), Party of Rights (HSP), Christian Democrats (HKDU), and
Dorica Nikolic, Josko Kontic, and Zeljko Glavan of the ruling
coalition's Social Liberals (HSLS), who said they attended unhappy
with announcements from the Interior Ministry that the rally would
be videotaped.
Addresses were made by leaders of Homeland War associations and
retired generals. Janko Bobetko was given a particularly
enthusiastic welcome.
The headquarters was supported, among else, by representatives of
the Croatian Society of Political Prisoners, the Croatian Student
Community, the Croatian Victimology Society, and other
associations.
Eight demands have been made to the government, including recalling
an arrest warrant for Gen. Ante Gotovina and stopping the
persecution, arrest and extradition of Croatian war veterans
before a referendum has been called, another request. Based on
400,000 collected signatures, citizens should say at this
referendum if Homeland War veterans should be given the same
treatment as the victorious armies of World War Two.
One of the principal demands is revoking a new law on war veterans'
rights, adopted yesterday, and that the government stop carrying
out the International Monetary Fund's "dictate".
A declaration was also adopted at the rally, describing the ruling
policy as traitorous and calling on the authorities to keep pre-
electoral promises or resign and call early elections.
Several singers performed at the rally, with Marko Perkovic
Thompson receiving the greatest ovation.
After the rally, the protesters dispersed peacefully.
(hina) ha sb