Croatian Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic has ruled out any possibility of postponing the installment of dual-alphabet signs on public institutions in Vukovar, claiming that the opposition Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) bears political responsibility for the protests and the destruction of the signs in that eastern Croatian town.
"I can accept that a number of people are not happy with that (Cyrillic signs in Vukovar). If we want to be a civilised state that protects ethnic minorities and abides by the law, then we must do it (put up dual-alphabet signs) and we will do it," Milanovic told the national radio (HR) on Tuesday. The entire interview will be aired on Wednesday morning.
He appealed on protesters in Vukovar, who he said have been protesting in a way unacceptable under the law, to accept that the war was over and that more than 20 years had passed since the amnesty law.
"Croatia must show generosity in victory, and in peace - good faith and will - and respect laws," he said.
The prime minister said the HDZ was politically responsible for the current situation. "I can't accuse the HDZ of sending people to smash signs and state property with hammers and attack the police. I don't think the HDZ did it directly, but the political responsibility is huge."
