INTERIOR MINISTRY ISSUES STATEMENT ON FRIDAY UNION RALLY

( Editorial: --> 3593 ) ZAGREB, Feb 21 (Hina) - The Croatian Interior Ministry (MUP) last night issued a statement on Friday's protest meeting of the Association of Croatian Workers' Unions (URSH). Despite warnings that their decision on holding the protest rally in Jelacic Square was contrary to the decision of the Zagreb City Assembly and municipal leadership, the Association attempted to organise the rally, said the statement. MUP recalled in the statement that URSH officials had announced the rally in Zagreb's Jelacic Square at a press conference held on 30 January 1998. URSH officials said at the press conference that they were familiar with the decision of the Zagreb City Assembly that such meetings are not permitted in Jelacic Square, the MUP statement said. On 11 February members of the Zagreb Police administration met with the URSH leadership and warned them that their intentions are illegal. On 16 February 1998, the Zagreb City Assembly issued a statement saying that the Office for Urban Development, Construction, Housing and Communal Affairs did not allow the organisation of the meeting in Jelacic Square. The City Assembly also recalled that, in line with the Assembly's conclusions from 1992, large gatherings can take place in Maksimir Park or at the recreational centre Jarun. Despite that, the URSH registered the rally with the Zagreb police. The police refused to grant a permit for the protest meeting, in line with legal regulations. The police sent a letter to the URSH, warning that their decision is contrary to the Law on Public Assembly, the Law on Public Roads and the Law on Traffic Security. In a statement issued on 19 February 1998, Interior Minister Ivan Penic warned that the URSH decision is illegal and called on the Association to respect the said laws. Despite these warnings, the URSH continued inviting people to the rally and tried to hold it in Jelacic Square, the MUP statement said. Some 17,000 people gathered on ten locations in streets leading to the square, and police used all measures provided by the law to protect public order and peace. During the Association's attempts to organise the rally, Minister Penic sent an open letter to the URSH President Boris Kunst, the MUP statement said. MUP prevented the organisation of the rally on an unpermitted location, showing again its consistency in protecting Croatia's legal system. In line with their strict orders, police did not use force, although they were physically attacked, the MUP statement said. Six police officers were injured, two of them seriously and they were kept in hospital for further observation. The other four received medical help on the spot. The crowd threw various objects at police, and windows on several shops in Ilica street were broken, MUP said, adding that an investigation was under way. The perpetrators will be identified and charges will be pressed against them, the MUP statement said. Charges will also be pressed against the organisers of the meeting for attempting to hold a rally and the fact that they failed to set up a group to watch after order, MUP said in the statement. (hina) rm 211126 MET feb 98