WAR VETERANS AND DISABLED VETERANS CONCERNED ABOUT ARRESTS

ZAGREB, Sept 13 (Hina) - Tuesday's arrest of ten persons suspected of war crimes, including Croatian Army members, and a subsequent statement by the Croatian prime minister regarding the arrests, caused stormy and negative reactions by war veterans' and disabled war veterans' associations. The Association of Croatian Disabled Homeland War Veterans (HVIDRA) today said the Croat people would not forgive "the hand- over of... Homeland War heroes, Croatian army generals and members of the victorious army." Addressing the Prime Minister, HVIDRA accused the authorities of proclaiming the arrested persons criminals before trial, and warned "do not force us to take up weapons." Veterans' associations from the southern Croatian Split-Dalmatia County established a headquarters for the protection of the dignity of the Homeland War, announcing regular sessions. The associations said they were "appalled at the statements by Croatian Prime Minister Ivica Racan, who is condemning the arrested in advance and proclaiming them war criminals," and demanded the list of all Croatian soldiers who were arrested as war suspects as well as the place of their detention. Soldiers' associations from eastern Croatia condemned Racan's statements as well. The Croatian prime minister last night said: "The action was taken for justice. Democratic Croatia is resolute that those accountable for war crimes will not live freely in this Croatia." (hina) jn rml