ATTACKS ON HHO, VOICE 99 AND SOROS ARE INSULT TO PUBLIC -- IHF

ZAGREB, Dec 23 (Hina) - Attacks by Croatian state media on the Croatian Helsinki Committee (HHO), Voice 99 and the Soros Foundation are an insult to the intelligence and dignity of the Croatian public, the executive director of the International Helsinki Federation (IHF), Aaron Rhodes, said in a letter forwarded to Hina on Thursday. "Croatian news media, and in particular those controlled by the State, have launched propagandistic assaults on the Croatian Helsinki Committee -- and also on Voice 99 and the Soros Foundation -- that are an insult to the intelligence and dignity of the Croatian public," Rhodes's letter said. The IHF director stressed that Croatia, if it wishes to become a democratic state, must develop a strong civil society which closely cooperates with state institutions. "Why then are civil organisations working on behalf of human rights and democratisation being demonised in a way reminiscent of the Stalinist tradition?", Rhodes asked. Such assaults on non-government organisations, sponsored by the state, will harm the reputation of Croatia and alienate it from international partners who respect democratic forces and want to assist the society, the letter said. The attacks will "discourage investment in Croatia and they have and will further damage the confidence of the citizens in their Government," Rhodes said in the letter. "Our sincere hope is that the crude attacks upon these groups will end, and that reason and tolerance will prevail," the letter said. (hina) lml mm