SECURITY AT PRE-ELECTORAL RALLIES GOOD - SAYS INTERIOR MINISTRY

ZAGREB, Dec 29 (Hina) - Security at all pre-electoral rallies throughout Croatia has been good and stable, Deputy Interior Minister Josko Moric told reporters in Zagreb on Wednesday. Commenting on the use of pyrotechnical device and arms during the holiday season, Moric said it was considerably lower than in the past. He added police would try to maintain this state of affairs throughout the holiday season and impending electoral period, in keeping with citizens' expectations.#L# A total of 979 pre-electoral rallies were held to date, Moric said, adding another 196 had been reported would take place. The deputy interior minister said no major incident had taken place during pre-electoral campaigning so far, but added police had received several anonymous reports on explosives planted at public assembly locations, which however did not stop any pre-electoral rally from taking place. Moric said the perpetrators of two incidents which took place on the eve of two rallies had been identified and charged. Police linked with impending elections also crimes which were not directly connected to campaigning, such as the break-in into the premises of the Social Democratic Party in Osijek, and the damaging of a party leader's car. Moric did not say who the leader was, but added the perpetrators of both crimes were known to the police. On electoral blackout day, January 2, police will carry out a security inspection of every polling station, while an anti- explosion control will be performed on election day, January 3, when police patrols will be discretely stationed near polling stations. Patrols will act only if summoned by electoral commissions. (hina) ha mm