HEADQUARTERS FOR PROTECTION OF DIGNITY OF HOMELAND WAR CRITICISES MESIC'S DECISION

SPLIT, Sept 29 (Hina) - The head of the Split-based Main Headquarters for the Protection of the Dignity of the Homeland War, Colonel Mirko Condic, told reporters on Friday the decision by Croatian President Stipe Mesic to retire seven Croatian generals- signatories to Thursday's open letter to the public "proves the neglect of the authorities for the dignity of the Homeland War and Croatia's liberation struggle." Condic claims the decision "seriously jeopardises the combat readiness of the Croatian Armed Forces, from which the most competent war commanders have been dismissed." The headquarters believes the open letter of 12 Croatian generals was "a highly moral and patriotic act." "Instead of stopping and reconsidering the letter and his policy which degrades the Homeland War, Croatian President Stipe Mesic violates the procedure and decides to dismiss them, confirming his intention to remove from the political scene all those who think differently," Condic said. The headquarters, which is still in session, said it would announce decisions on its further moves soon. (hina) rml