NON-PARTICIPANT UNIONS OPPOSE MAIN SQUARE BAN

( Editorial: --> 3182 ) ZAGREB, Feb 19 (Hina) - Unions not participating in a union rally announced for Friday said Thursday they opposed the city administration's decision to ban the rally from the main city square. The Alliance of Croatian Independent Unions, Association of Croatian Public Services' Unions and reporters', graphic designers' and scientists' unions issued a statement Thursday in which they "most harshly oppose" the city administration's decision Although they had distanced themselves from the main organisers of the protest because of their "dubious moral, union and political motives," the unions stressed that they "most firmly stand behind the will of impoverished people to convey their suffering through this and any other protest". They requested the city administration and the government to enable the protesters to come to the main square. (hina) lm jn 191638 MET feb 98