DISPLACED PERSONS BLOCK ZAGREB-LIPOVAC HIGHWAY

VELIKA KOPANICA, March 23 (Hina) - Dissatisfied with the budget money earmarked for the reconstruction, returnees and displaced persons from Slavonia counties at 1PM Thursday blocked the Zagreb- Lipovac highway, near the eastern Slavonian town of Velika Kopanica. President of the Association of Returnees of Croatia Josip Kompanovic said that the reason for the protest was inappropriate attitude of the Croatian Government towards those who sacrificed the most because budgetary items are insufficient, so no talks on the reconstruction could be held this year. Lines of trucks, tractors and other vehicles were several kilometres long twenty minutes before the protest, Kompanovic said and added that returnees and displaced persons were arriving from other parts of Croatia. He also apologised to citizens which were not able to continue to their destinations, due to the road blockade. If necessary, protests will be organised in Zagreb, namely the blocking of the entrance of the Croatian National Sabor and the Government, Kompanovic said and reiterated that returnees and displaced persons from entire Croatia would join. (hina) it mm