CROATIAN WAR VOLUNTEERS END THIRD CONGRESS IN ZAGREB

ZAGREB, May 7 (Hina) - The Union of Croatian War Volunteers today ended its third congress with the re-election of Tomislav Mercep as its president. The congress was also attended by senior government officials, delegates and guests from the country and abroad. Defence Minister Gojko Susak said that Croatia was criticized over its military action in western Slavnonia. "Today we're telling the world that this is our homeland, and that we are able, ready and equipped to liberate it," Susak said, adding that victors never retreated but always went forward. Susak called on the volunteers to organize themselves even better and to have confidence in the government. Parliament deputy speaker Vladimir Seks pledged parliamentary support to the volunteers in meeting their justified demands. He proposed that the next congress be held in the liberated Vukovar. Mercep said that the Union demanded that the government and the President of the Republic ensure employment of the volunteers in important state bodies, including the National Security Office, security information services and the media. They also called on the government to grant them loans to solve their housing problems and help them join the process of the Croatian economic renewal. The Union today adopted a new statute and new symbols and elected a new presidency. (hina) vm 071845 MET may 95