ZAGREB, May 30 (Hina) - A Croatian parliament vice-president, academician Vlatko Pavletic, who was on Friday presented with the Golden Coat of Arms, a Croatian parliament award, voiced hope the award would become a traditional one and
be presented in a more favourable atmosphere than today. Parliament vice-president Baltazar Jalsovec and the GONG non-governmental association also received the award today.
ZAGREB, May 30 (Hina) - A Croatian parliament vice-president,
academician Vlatko Pavletic, who was on Friday presented with the
Golden Coat of Arms, a Croatian parliament award, voiced hope the
award would become a traditional one and be presented in a more
favourable atmosphere than today. Parliament vice-president
Baltazar Jalsovec and the GONG non-governmental association also
received the award today. #L#
"We are witnesses to mounting intolerance, not just in relation to
this award, and our joint conviction is that the essence of
democracy if dialogue, not hatred," Pavletic said. He thanked for
the award -- a gold coin, a charter and 100,000 kuna -- on his own and
Jalsovec's behalf.
The parliament's decision to award Pavletic and Jalsovec with the
Golden Coat of Arms, presented for the first time this year,
provoked negative reactions in the public contesting the two
officials' merits for which they were awarded. It was also heard
that the amount of money awarded exceeded the value of all other
state awards in Croatia.
By presenting the awards, the parliament ended its formal sitting
marking Croatian Parliament Day. On May 30, 1990, the first multi-
party parliament was constituted in Croatia.
(hina) lml sb