PRESIDENT MESIC COMMENTS ON GENERALS' LETTER

PRESIDENT MESIC COMMENTS ON GENERALS' LETTER MADRID, Oct 5 (Hina) - Retired generals have the right to protest, but the refusal of Damir Krsticevic to sign the second letter by a group of generals is commendable, Croatian President Stipe Mesic said in Madrid Thursday. Croatian Army generals who last Thursday forwarded an open letter to the Croatian public, this Thursday wrote a new letter, prompted by numerous responses. The latest one was signed by 11 of 12 generals who signed the previous one. The one who has not signed the new letter is Damir Krsticevic who regards that the first letter contained all what should be said and that there is no need for additional explanations. "Damir Krsticevic sticks to his principles, which is commendable. He said he had accepted the letter, with the conviction that the message of the Homeland Defence War should be relayed to everyone," Mesic said. As regards the other signatories to the letter, he asserted the retired generals have the right to send letters to anyone they like. They are citizens as any other, and have the right to protest, Mesic concluded. (hina) lml