CROATIAN HELSINKI COMMITTEE REACTS TO INTERIOR MINISTRY STATEMENT

ZAGREB, Nov 27 (Hina) - The Croatian Helsinki Committee for human rights (HHO) expressed concern over a statement by the Croatian Interior Ministry dated November 20. The Ministry accused "certain humanitarian and non-government organisations" for being facades for foreign intelligence services' actions aimed at destabilising Croatia, the HHO said on Friday. The Committee said it was unacceptable that accusations without a mention of names of organisations or individuals, stigmatise all non-government organisations and humanitarian organisations which are legally active in Croatia and recognised by the international community. The HHO claimed it had often been the target of Croatian intelligence services, about which the committee had spoken publicly on several occasions. The HHO also protested "against statements by the Croatian President that his government would allow discussions on certain cases, but not about the method". "We believe in the exact opposite. The working methods of Croatian intelligence services need primarily to be subjected to public criticism, as it is precisely these methods, more than anything else, that show the true sense, radius and range of these services," the HHO said in a statement. (hina) lml mm/sp