DECLARATION SHOULD STRESS CROATIA WAS VICTIM OF SERB AGGRESSION - SAYS VETERANS' OFFICIAL

ZAGREB, April 20 (Hina) - The negative reactions of Croatian veterans to a government declaration on cooperation with The Hague war crimes tribunal and the protest they staged in Gospic are the result of how little they know on the matter and how fast the declaration was adopted, a veterans' official said on Thursday. Speaking to reporters after talking to Croatian President Stipe Mesic, Djuro Decak, the president of the Association of Croatian Veterans and Homeland War Invalids (UHVIDRA), said his talks with the President discussed the work of veterans' associations, but not the recently adopted declaration. Decak believes the veterans' stand regarding the declaration would change significantly if it were explained to them that the declaration is not against them, but those who through illegal activity tarnished the reputation of Croatia and its veterans. Decak is aware of Croatia's situation, and the fact that the declaration was adopted under pressure. As UHVIDRA's president, he would be happier if the declaration's preamble clearly stated that Croatia had been the victim of Serb aggression. Decak says this would deflate revolted veterans' statements. Serbs are leading 2:1, because Croatian victims of last decade's war were exhumed on only one location, Ovcara in eastern Croatia, whereas today investigators from The Hague are searching graves of Serb victims in Gospic and have announced exhumations on new locations, he explained. Decak said he and President Stipe Mesic agreed that all Homeland War-related associations should united into one umbrella organisation in view of improving relations between governmental and non-governmental institutions. Decak thanked the President for making a guest-appearance at a recent conference of the World Veterans' Federation in Pula, at which Decak was elected president of Europe's veterans and the Federation's vice president. (hina) ha jn