3 replies to this topic

[Steven]

Croatian nationalists try to take down EU flag hours before referendum - Telegraph

Police fought nationalist protesters on Saturday as they tried to take down an European Union flag hours before a referendum on membership.

Several people were injured and police detained at least three demonstrators at the end of a protest rally held by about 1,000 war veterans and Right-wing protesters opposed to Croatia's joining the EU.

The country signed an accession treaty with the EU last year and is set to join the 27-nation bloc in July 2013. On Sunday voters will be asked: "Do you support the membership of the Republic of Croatia in the European Union?" The latest survey suggested that about 60 per cent Croats will say "yes". Those against insist Croatia has nothing to gain by joining.

"We won't have any say in our own affairs any more," Natko Kovacevic, one of the organisers of the protest, told the crowd gathered in the capital, Zagreb.

Protesters carried banners reading "No to EU" or "I love Croatia" and chanted anti-EU slogans. Police intervened against a group of a few dozen people who moved to take down the EU flag from a pole. Organisers - who claim that displaying foreign flags is illegal - urged voters to reject EU membership and remove EU flags from elsewhere in the country.

"Of course I am against the EU," said pensioner Visnja Skreblin. "I still have a mind of my own."

Croatia is faced with serious economic problems, including unemployment at around 17 percent and a budget gap projected at 6.2 percent of gross domestic product. The World Bank has predicted recession and a 1.0 percent decrease of the country's GDP in 2012.

source

Steve

[Eassex cempa]

I would guess in the ideal world Croatia would be happy to join and take advantage of the trickle down theory of community wealth, but no.
I guess they realise that any subsidy coming in would be gobbled up b the politicos and taxes would rais for the privilage.

Love the quote from the pensioner,  'of course i'm against the EU, I still have my own mind' says it all !!

E C

[Andy]

They can see that the EU is starting to collapse.  Why would they want to tie themselves in with something that is showing all the signs of failing yet still want to say who and what will run a country.

[Guthlac]

What was the point of Croatia fighting a war for independence a few years ago, and now enslaving themselves to the EU? You can guarantee the polls are rigged, and the UN has something to do with this 'push' i.e. Join the EU or we will not help you in anyway if your attacked by other Balkan countries. And your trade and commerce will 'conventionality' be undermined by the world-bodies that support the EU.

I do not like the idea of burning national flags. Though I have burnt the EU flag and would have no hesitation doing it again.