ZAGREB SUMMIT - PROTESTS LEGITIMATE, BUT CRO. REPUTATION IMPORTANT

ZAGREB, Nov 18 (Hina) - Croatia believes that all who announced protest rallies for Nov. 24, Zagreb Summit day, have the "full democratic right" to do so, but should also be aware of the significance of the conference and not bring Croatia's reputation into question, a Foreign Ministry official said. Several associations recently announced they would rally on the day of the Summit, including the Croatian Association of Trade Unions and the Main Headquarters for the Protection of the Dignity of the Homeland Defence War. "All those announcing protests during the Zagreb Summit have the full democratic right to it, but we hope the basic values and reputation of Croatia won't be brought into question because of the protests," Foreign Ministry spokesman Goran Rotim told Hina. He stressed citizens should be aware "Croatia now has the second chance to become a full-right European country which will appreciate the tenets of the Homeland Defence War on which it gained independence, in which people will live by European standards, which also envisages a high degree of social security and standards of living," said Rotim. (hina) ha