VOICE 99 PROTEST COMMITTE: MESSAGES OF VOICE 2000 BIASED

ZAGREB, Jan 28 (Hina) - A dozen non-government organisations, gathered in the Voice 99 Protest Committee, on Friday expressed their opposition to measures taken by Voice 2000 association. The Committee believes that by using the name and visual identity of Voice 99, Voice 2000 has been creating the impression that the two associations are one and the same association. This also contributes to the impression that a large number of associations in Voice 99 are supporting "biased promotional messages" of Voice 2000, Voice 99 officials told reporters. A member of the Protest Committee, Toni Vidan, said that nine non- government associations, following an initiative by the Institute Open Society, had set up Voice 2000 without informing other members of Voice 99 about it. A warriors' language and the language of intolerance have begun to prevail in messages relayed by Voice 2000, said Bojana Genov of the Protest Committee, explaining that the message "knock out in the second round" was an explicit call for violence. A Committee member Suzana Kunac said the financing of non- government organisations should be a tax-deductible cost, which would enable the non-government sector to operate more independently. Asserting that most non-government organisations in Croatia are financed through foreign donations, she said there was a danger that those associations might become opportunistic and start uncritically accepting projects suggested by anyone. (hina) rml