ZAGREB, Feb 12 (Hina) - The Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) fully supports the protests organised by the Headquarters for the Protection of the Dignity of the Homeland Defence War and considers them to be a democratic way of
expressing opinion, the president of the strongest opposition party said on Monday. Over the weekend, protest rallies were held in several towns in support of Mirko Norac, a retired general suspected of war crimes against civilians, whose whereabouts are unknown. Ivo Sanader refuted claims made by the prime minister to the effect that the protests were HDZ's attempts at manipulation the aim of which was a return to power. He also refuted statements made by representatives of the six parties making up the ruling coalition that HDZ was radicalising the political scene and manipulating with war veterans' associations and headquarters. Sanader claimed the incumbent government had not solved even
ZAGREB, Feb 12 (Hina) - The Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) fully
supports the protests organised by the Headquarters for the
Protection of the Dignity of the Homeland Defence War and considers
them to be a democratic way of expressing opinion, the president of
the strongest opposition party said on Monday.
Over the weekend, protest rallies were held in several towns in
support of Mirko Norac, a retired general suspected of war crimes
against civilians, whose whereabouts are unknown.
Ivo Sanader refuted claims made by the prime minister to the effect
that the protests were HDZ's attempts at manipulation the aim of
which was a return to power.
He also refuted statements made by representatives of the six
parties making up the ruling coalition that HDZ was radicalising
the political scene and manipulating with war veterans'
associations and headquarters.
Sanader claimed the incumbent government had not solved even one
social issue, and dismissed evaluations that the protests were
putting pressure on the judicial authority.
As a responsible political party, HDZ will do everything within its
capabilities to preserve peace, stability and the constitutional
order, and is willing to sit down for talks about finding a
solution, said Sanader.
Asked to comment on requests for early elections, he said the
possibility should be given serious thought because life in Croatia
was getting worse and society was politically polarised.
Sanader called on the ruling coalition's parliamentary benches to
withdraw a set of conclusions linking the protests' organisers to
the subversion of the constitutional order.
Said conclusions should be adopted on Wednesday, a day Sanader said
would be crucial for the course of events.
(hina) ha sb