ZAGREB: SHOUTS, WHISTLES, BANNERS AGAINST KOSTUNICA'S ARRIVAL

ZAGREB, Nov 24 (Hina) - The protest rally of some 500 Croatian Homeland War veterans, who gathered in Zagreb's Marsal Tito Square near "Intercontinental" hotel, which hosts the Zagreb Summit, is passing off peacefully. The protesters, who are opposing the arrival of Yugoslav President Vojislav Kostunica to the summit, are expressing their discontent with occasional shouts, whistles and by displaying banners and broadcasting Homeland War songs. #L# The covering of the Marsal Tito Square plaque with another one, bearing the name of Franjo Tudjman, was welcomed with shouts of approval, to which the police did not react. The protesters also set Kostunica's picture on fire, which also met the protesters' approval. Today's rally, organised by the Headquarters for the Protection of the Dignity of the Homeland Defence War, was greeted by numerous Homeland War associations, the presidents of the Croatian Christian Democratic Union (HKDU) and the Croatian Pure Party of Rights (HCSP), Marko Veselica and Ivan Gabelica, and Zvonimir Separovic of the Croatian Victimology Society. Commenting on the course of the rally, an assistant to the Interior Minister, Vladimir Faber, said the agreement between the police and the organisers on the rally was being observed. (hina) rml