4,700 POLICE INVOLVED IN SECURING RALLY - PENIC

( Editorial: --> 3673 ) ZAGREB, Feb 21 (Hina) - Ban Jelacic Square was secured by 4,700 police officers during a trade union protest rally on Friday, Interior Minister Ivan Penic said during a break in the HDZ Convention on Saturday. "There were 1,500 members of special police units and 3,200 members of regular police" from the Zagreb Police Department and neighbouring police departments, Penic said. He dismissed rumours that 8,000 law enforcement personnel patrolled the capital during the protest. "This has nothing to do with the reality," he affirmed. He also said he was proud of the fact that the police had not used force during yesterday's protest. "Between 4.05pm and 4.10pm yesterday, the police headquarters requested permission for officers to defend themselves, but I said: "No, we must bear this stoically," and I'm proud of it," Penic related. He announced that police court proceedings and possibly even criminal proceedings, would be initiated on the basis of the video footage. (hina) jn as mrb 211715 MET feb 98