'APEL' CENTRE & HDZ PROTEST IN FRONT OF INT RED CROSS IN ZAGREB

ZAGREB, Oct 14 (Hina) - Representatives of "Apel", a Croatian association of families of detained, missing, and abducted Croatian soldiers and civilians, on Thursday once again lit candles in front of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Zagreb. "Apel" is dissatisfied with the ineffectiveness of the International Red Cross (IRC) in shedding light on the fate of 1,674 persons. Also present at today's candle-lighting, held every Thursday since 12 August, were representatives of the ruling party, the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ). The secretary for the protection of human rights of HDZ's Main Secretariat, Jadranka Cigelj, read today a protest letter addressed to ICRC chairman Cornelio Sammaruga. "Apel's" representatives once again failed to deliver the protest letter to top IRC officials. They were told both the chairman and his deputy at the IRC were absent on duty. The letter to Sammaruga, among else says: "As a representative of the largest humanitarian organisation, you are not almighty, but you do have the right to say the truth (...) Be our voice. Be the advocator of truth." The letter states that ICRC's silence is the equivalent of consent, confirmation, agreement, which, it adds, in turn means participation. The HDZ Main Secretariat therefore demands that the IRC "speak in the name and on behalf of truth." Today's gathering in front of the ICRC building in Zagreb was supported in the form of a letter by representatives of the Association of Croatian Homeland War Volunteers, who urged the IRC to realise the difference between the aggressor and the victim. (hina) ha mm