ZAGREB, Feb 14 (Hina) - The president of the federation of disabled war veterans' associations (HVIDRA), Marinko Liovic, on Wednesday suggested to HVIDRA members not to come to a protest rally , scheduled for tomorrow in Zagreb. This
rally is organised by the coordinating body of 16 associations of war veterans. The rally which is to take place in front of buildings of the government and parliament in the downtown Zagreb, is spurred by the case of retired General Mirko Norac, who is under suspicion of having committed war crimes. Liovic stated a few reasons for his suggestion. According to his statement, one of reasons for not attending the Zagreb rally should be General Norac's decision to fall "into the arms of the authorities." Liovic alluded to the announced meeting of General Norac and President Stjepan Mesic. Loivic added that he offered his resignation to HVIDRA head committee. An or
ZAGREB, Feb 14 (Hina) - The president of the federation of disabled
war veterans' associations (HVIDRA), Marinko Liovic, on Wednesday
suggested to HVIDRA members not to come to a protest rally ,
scheduled for tomorrow in Zagreb. This rally is organised by the
coordinating body of 16 associations of war veterans.
The rally which is to take place in front of buildings of the
government and parliament in the downtown Zagreb, is spurred by the
case of retired General Mirko Norac, who is under suspicion of
having committed war crimes.
Liovic stated a few reasons for his suggestion. According to his
statement, one of reasons for not attending the Zagreb rally should
be General Norac's decision to fall "into the arms of the
authorities." Liovic alluded to the announced meeting of General
Norac and President Stjepan Mesic.
Loivic added that he offered his resignation to HVIDRA head
committee.
An organisation, called the chief headquarters for the protection
of the Homeland War's dignity, has also withdrawn from the
organisation of tomorrow's rally.
The association of war veterans who served the Croatian navy, on
Wednesday condemned attempts of some politicians and parties to
manipulate a part of veterans, and expressed deep concern over a
failure to speedily remove great problems which veterans and
citizens were facing in the economic crisis.
According to a statement it released, this association in principle
supports peaceful rallies but it has always maintained and
maintains that barricades on roads and bridges are acts "directed
against interests of Croatian Homeland War veterans and the
Croatian people."
"We are happy to see that General Mirko Norac has requested report
but we are unhappy to see he is being manipulated (by those who take
part) in the struggle for power," read the statement.
The basic value of the Homeland War is the independent,
internationally recognised and democratic Croatia in which the
permanent task of all bodies of the authority and moral individuals
is to promote the Republic of Croatia as a law-based country in a
fast and efficient manner," it said.
The association also insisted that the government offer the best
legal aid to Armed Forces members, who may be accused of war crimes,
and that processes of crimes committed against Croats in the war be
expedited.
(hina) sb ms