ZAGREB, Nov 25 (Hina) - Mirko Condic, the head of the chief headquarters for the protection of the Homeland Defence War's dignity, on Saturday said that although it expected a higher turnout, the headquarters was not dissatisfied with
yesterday's rally it staged in Zagreb protesting against the arrival of Yugoslav President Vojislav Kostunica in the Croatian capital for a summit of leaders of the 15 EU member-countries and five countries covered by the Stabilisation and Association Process. Instead of announced ten thousand protesters, five hundred people appeared at the rally. "Obviously, the media campaign and the persuasion of (Premier) Racan and (President) Mesic that there is no need to protest have achieved the desired effect. I find small comfort in the fact that we proved to be right this time," Condic told a news conference today. He, however, admitted that organisers
ZAGREB, Nov 25 (Hina) - Mirko Condic, the head of the chief
headquarters for the protection of the Homeland Defence War's
dignity, on Saturday said that although it expected a higher
turnout, the headquarters was not dissatisfied with yesterday's
rally it staged in Zagreb protesting against the arrival of
Yugoslav President Vojislav Kostunica in the Croatian capital for a
summit of leaders of the 15 EU member-countries and five countries
covered by the Stabilisation and Association Process.
Instead of announced ten thousand protesters, five hundred people
appeared at the rally.
"Obviously, the media campaign and the persuasion of (Premier)
Racan and (President) Mesic that there is no need to protest have
achieved the desired effect. I find small comfort in the fact that
we proved to be right this time," Condic told a news conference
today.
He, however, admitted that organisers of the rally had made a
mistake failing to determine the exact time and site of the rally.
Commenting on the Summit's Declaration, Condic asserted that the
final document showed that the headquarters' fear about Croatia's
road to Europe going through Belgrade, Cacak and Tirana was
founded.
According to Condic, "it is clear from the final declaration that a
new Berlin Wall will be built on the Slovene border (with Croatia)
as long as there is no adequate cooperation in the Balkans."
For war veterans, gathered in this organisation, Croatia is now
more isolated than ever before.
They also expressed dissatisfaction with Kostunica's failure to
apologise to the Croatian people for the last decade's war, when he
arrived in the Croatian capital. Croatian authorities should have
forced him to apologise, Condic added.
(hina) ms