'FIRST CROATIAN POLICEMAN' COURSE MARKS NINTH ANNIVERSARY

ZAGREB, Aug 4 (Hina) - The organisation of the course 'The First Croatian Policeman' was the most important event in a series of dramatic events which happened in 1991, Interior Minister Ivan Penic said at Wednesday's ceremony held at the Police Academy, on the occasion of the ninth anniversary of the police course. Penic recalled that legal Croatian units, which were the pillar of Croatia's independence, had been formed from members of the course 'The First Croatian Policeman'. 'The First Croatian Policeman' was a guarantee of Croatia's peace and constitutional order, Penic said, recalling that anti- terrorist units and units for special purposes, which later grew into the first Croatian Army unit (the so-called Tigers), had also been formed from members of the course. The president of the association 'The First Croatian Policeman' , Nenad Zovak, said that 1,800 police officers had replied to the appeal of the President of the Republic in 1991. The establishment of the first military and police unit was crucial for the preservation of national identity, Zovak said, expressing regret over the unresolved problems of Croatian soldiers. "The battle which started in 1991 is not over yet", Zovak said adding, "we still have to fight against those who are provoking the Croatian people by saying that Croatian soldiers have to answer for war crimes". Today's ceremony was also attended by general Zvonimir Cervenko. A delegation of 'The First Croatian Policeman' association today laid wreaths at the Homeland Altar on Mt Medvednica overlooking Zagreb. (hina) rml