AGREEMENT ON US DONATION FOR HND'S LEGAL PROTECTION FUND SIGNED

ZAGREB, Oct 18 (Hina) - The president of the Croatian Journalists' Association (HND), Jagoda Vukusic, and US Ambassador William Montgomery signed in Zagreb on Monday an agreement on a US$100,000- worth donation of the US government for HND's legal protection fund. The signing of the agreement, said Vukusic, completes the process of establishment of the fund for helping journalists and publishers in Croatia who are facing criminal charges or civil suits, of which there are more than 1,000. The donation will be used only for paying defence costs and not for the payment of awarded damages. US Ambassador Montgomery said a free and independent media represented an important component of a democratic society. Such media should be not only tolerated but also encouraged and aided in their development by all governments. The donation is aimed at demonstrating the support of the United States to reporters and publishers who are facing criminal charges or civil suits, said Montgomery, stressing the HND Council of Honour would decide independently about the allocation of money from the fund. Montgomery said his government supported a responsible media, which was why the Council would decide in which cases money from the fund should be given. However, the US government believes there is a series of cases with the media facing suits which are not in accordance with high standards which should be established with the aim of enabling the development of a free and independent media. Montgomery expressed hope the US donation would help Croatian reporters and publishers. (hina) jn rml