VUKOVAR COUNTY POLICE REQUEST PENALTIES AGAINST HSP SUPPORTERS

( Editorial: --> 1962 ) VUKOVAR, Feb 14 (Hina) - The police of Vukovar-Srijem County Saturday demanded that penalty procedures be initiated against the organisers of a public rally of Croatian Party of Rights (HSP) supporters in Vukovar, eastern Croatia. According to the office of Croatian Assistant Interior Minister Josko Moric, the county police demanded that penalty procedures be initiated against seven bouncers and 46 other persons as well, due to repeated disturbance of public order and peace which occurred in downtown Vukovar earlier today. The HSP on 7 February reported, in line with the law on public gatherings, to the county police that a party forum would be held in the Vukovar district of Borovo Naselje on 14 February. Three days prior to the forum, Moric's office said in a statement, the president and leadership of the HSP were repeatedly warned about legal provisions regulating the protection of public order and peace, the security of public rallies and the obligations of the rallies' organisers. This morning, the statement said, a meeting was held with the president and leadership of the HSP in nearby Vinkovci, at which they were repeatedly reminded of obligations regarding general safety, possible disturbance of public order and peace and obligations of organisers of public rallies. The assistant interior minister's office described the events leading to today's incidents. Aboard eight buses, eight vans and 81 car, the president, leadership and some 800 members and supporters of the HSP headed for the town's cemetery, passing through downtown Vukovar at 10.30 hours. After laying wreaths, the vehicles returned to the district of Borovo Naselje, where the party forum was to be held. While driving through the town's centre, some drivers purposefully and systematically sounded sirens, disturbing public order and peace. Upon entering the hall where the forum was to be held, one group of party members and supporters disturbed public order and peace with shouts, noise, singing and by raising the right hand in sign of mutual greeting. On account of repeated disturbance of public order and peace in downtown Vukovar and at a public gathering location, the Vukovar- Srijem County police filed requests for penalty procedures to be initiated against the organiser of the public rally, against seven bouncers set up by the rally's organiser and against 46 other persons, the statement concluded. (hina) ha 141907 MET feb 98