Protesting Croatian war veterans clash with police, leaders call for dialogue

Croatian Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic said on Friday that police had to maintain order after protesting war veterans broke the public assembly act.

Milanovic made the remark at a special press conference held after the clashes between police and veterans.

He said that his government did nothing to diminish veterans' rights.

Milanovic said he was ready to talk with protesters on Monday, adding he was ready for a dialogue, but not for ultimatums and threats.

He claimed that the protest was organized by the opposition center-right Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) and its president Tomislav Karamarko, something he denies.

Earlier on Friday, protesting veterans clashed with police on St. Mark's Square, where the Croatian government building is located. They were trying to approach the square and St. Mark's Church when some protesters were arrested.

Police put barriers to prevent people from entering the square. Finally police decided not to have physical contact with protesters and let them enter the square and positioned themselves in front of the church.

The veterans marched to the square on Thursday afternoon, demanding a meeting with Milanovic. They refused to left and stayed in the St. Mark's Church over night.

Croatian President Kolinda Grabar Kitarovic on Friday called for a peaceful dialogue.

The veterans have been staging protests since September in front of the Ministry of Veterans, demanding the resignation of the minister in charge and granting additional concessions for war veterans. Endit