ORGANISERS OF ZAGREB PROTEST REJECT HDZ AND VONS ASSESSMENTS

( Editorial: --> 4486 ) ZAGREB, Feb 25 (Hina) - Organisers of last week's union protest in Zagreb have rejected assessments the rally was an attempt at the "Albania-ising" of Croatia. On Wednesday they also rebuffed statements by the fourth General Convention of the ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) and the Croatian Defence and National Security Council (VONS) that the primary aim of organisers was to "provoke disorder" and did not want to point out any of the serious social problems. Protest organisers wanted to hold the 20 February rally in Zagreb's central Ban Jelacic Square, despite city authorities upholding a 1992 decision that such rallies could not be held at the square. Implementing this decision, police prevented the arrival of protesters into the square. The rally was organised as a sign of protest against the difficult economic and social situation in Croatia. On behalf of organisers, Association of Workers' Trade Unions of Croatia (USRH) president Boris Kunst told a press conference on Wednesday that it was not possible to talk about "Albania-isation", when it was officially assessed there were 15,000 protesters and 4,700 police, which worked out at a ratio of one police officer for every 3.2 protesters. He said the organising committee considered insulting the naming of protesters as "a rabble". The committee called on members of the Croatian National Parliament to instigate proceedings for a no-confidence vote in Interior Minister Ivan Penic because of infringements on the rights and freedoms of citizens, violating the Law on Public Gatherings and jeopardising public order and peace. It also called on Zagreb city councillors to allow public gatherings in Ban Jelacic Square, otherwise they would demand an assessment on the constitutionality of existing decisions on permitted places for gatherings. The committee rejected claims that the protest was deliberately held on the day before the convention of the governing party, reminding that preparations for the rally began when the HDZ announced its general convention would be held on 27 and 28 February. Members of the organising committee announced new protests until all citizens were able to publicly show their standpoints and until the government fulfilled union demands. At Wednesday's press conference, committee members said they rejected the right of those who did not take part in the organisation of the protests to gather political points "post festum" (after the event). This especially related to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the Croatian Social Liberal Party (HSLS), Croatian Association of Trade Unions (HUS) president Niko Gunjina said. "Firstly they 'washed their hands' from the protest, only to afterwards score political points in telegrams to the HDZ," Gunjina said. In their telegrams, leaders of those parties said they did not accept invitations to attend the fourth General Convention of the HDZ because unions were prohibited from holding their 20 February protest in Ban Jelacic Square. (Hina) jn mb 251529 MET feb 98