Seventeen umbrella Homeland War associations on Monday distanced themselves from yesterday's rally in Grubisno Pollje in support of Veljko Maric and Tihomir Purda, Croatian veterans in custody in Serbia and Bosnia respectively on suspicion of war crimes, and called for unity among Croatian veterans.
Josip Perisa, an official of the HVIDR-a association of disabled veterans, said the associations distanced themselves from any attempt to destabilise or cause chaos in Croatia as well as any attempt to topple the government, which he said could have unforeseeable consequences for Croatia's bid to join the European Union.
Perisa said the 17 associations fully supported the Jadranka Kosor Cabinet, and that attempts were being made to manipulate veterans' protests.
He said the associations wanted an urgent meeting with Kosor and the ministers of justice and the interior to be briefed about the return of Maric and Purda to Croatia and the care for veterans.
Ivan Psenica, president of the Alliance of Families of Detained and Missing Veterans, said the problems must be solved via institutions, and condemned the mention of weapons at veterans' protests.
He voiced hope that agreement would be reached with the organisers of a protest scheduled for Saturday, adding that about 250 veteran association representatives were expected to meet the same day and adopt a joint position on how to solve veterans' problems without "intentions to topple."
Asked which political groups, according to veterans' associations, were trying to cause a feud within the veterans population, Perisa first avoided to answer but, after reporters insisted he answer, mentioned the Party of Rights (HSP) and the Social Liberal Party (HSLS), which he said was now promoting the protection of war veterans.
Asked what he expected of Purda's interrogation in Bosnia today, HVIDR-a president Josip Djakic said he hoped the Bosnian judiciary had achieved democratic standards and that its decision on Serbia's extradition plea would be in line with the law and justice.
A protest rally in support of Purda and Maric was also held in Beli Manastir, organised by the Baranja association of veterans suffering from PTSD. About 200 veterans peacefully voiced their dissatisfaction with the government's treatment of war veterans.
Veterans supported Purda and Maric in Rijeka as well.
