GOVERNMENT OPPONENTS MARK ANNIVERSARY OF PLITVICE OPERATION

PLITVICE, March 31 (Hina) - Uzdanica '90, an association including former members of the Lucko and Rakitje Anti-Terrorist Unit, marked the tenth anniversary of a Croatian police operation at Plitvice Lakes with a separate gathering. It would have been a "shame" if they had taken part in the marking organised by the committee set up by President Stipe Mesic, they said. This separate gathering, held by a monument to Josip Jovic, a Croatian policeman who was the first victim of the Homeland Defence War, was attended by some 300 people. They were addressed by former members of special police units, retired generals, representatives of Bosnian Croats and war veterans associations. The speeches criticised the incumbent authorities and extended support to retired general Mirko Novac, a war crimes suspect, and Croats in Bosnia, who recently proclaimed self-rule. One of the most famous participants in the Easter 1991 Plitvice operation, Mirko Norac, is now sitting in a Rijeka prison, said Lt. Col. Mirko Condic, the president of the national Headquarters for the Protection of the Dignity of the Homeland Defence War. Ljubo Cesic Rojs, an MP who also took part in the Plitvice operation, accused the incumbent government of "dismantling the Croatian state" and threatened this "will not be allowed." An address was also made by retired general Janko Bobetko, who called on citizens to choose at the next elections "moral and honourable people who will lead Croatia." (hina) ha sb