Flag scandal, fake bomb tip-off

As residents reported that the display of the Serbian flag "irritated" them, all flags were on Friday removed from downtown Zadar, Croatia.

Izvor: FoNet

Saturday, 24.01.2009.

11:36

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As residents reported that the display of the Serbian flag "irritated" them, all flags were on Friday removed from downtown Zadar, Croatia. The national flags were there to honor all participants in the World Handball Championship underway in this coastal town. Flag scandal, fake bomb tip-off Zadar Mayor Zivko Kolega confirmed that the decision was taken after a large number of citizens reported "irritation" with the sight of the Serbian flag. "Bearing in mind these special days, in which the citizens have been made sensitive with the memories of war suffering and paying respects to the victims of the Maslenica operation, I have decided to remove all the flags from the square, while those in Visnjik will remain in line with the competition's rules," a statement from the mayor's office read. Kolega also urged Zadar residents to "show dignity and sporting spirit" in order to best promote Zadar. But Croatian President Stjepan Mesic reacted by saying that "someone will have to be held responsible for this decision". "Everyone's symbols are protected in Croatia, and if someone touches those symbols they will have to be held responsible. I think that the state must not retreat in front of those who meddle with other nations' symbols. The state must protect those symbols, as we demand that our symbols are protected abroad," he was quoted as saying. Also on Friday in Zadar, an anonymous bomb tip-off was reported in the hotel where Serbia's national handball team is staying during the competition. Local police said the tip-off was fake. Another incident took place last night when hooligans attacked a parked vehicle with Serbian license plates, pelting it with stones. Local police have in the meantime detained two suspects in connection to this incident.

Flag scandal, fake bomb tip-off

Zadar Mayor Živko Kolega confirmed that the decision was taken after a large number of citizens reported "irritation" with the sight of the Serbian flag.

"Bearing in mind these special days, in which the citizens have been made sensitive with the memories of war suffering and paying respects to the victims of the Maslenica operation, I have decided to remove all the flags from the square, while those in Višnjik will remain in line with the competition's rules," a statement from the mayor's office read.

Kolega also urged Zadar residents to "show dignity and sporting spirit" in order to best promote Zadar.

But Croatian President Stjepan Mesić reacted by saying that "someone will have to be held responsible for this decision".

"Everyone's symbols are protected in Croatia, and if someone touches those symbols they will have to be held responsible. I think that the state must not retreat in front of those who meddle with other nations' symbols. The state must protect those symbols, as we demand that our symbols are protected abroad," he was quoted as saying.

Also on Friday in Zadar, an anonymous bomb tip-off was reported in the hotel where Serbia's national handball team is staying during the competition. Local police said the tip-off was fake.

Another incident took place last night when hooligans attacked a parked vehicle with Serbian license plates, pelting it with stones. Local police have in the meantime detained two suspects in connection to this incident.

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