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Hrvoje Polan/AFP/Getty Images
Police guard participants in a Gay Pride parade in downtown Zagreb, Croatia, on June 19, 2010.
ZAGREB, Croatia -- Several government ministers in Croatia will join a gay pride march set for this weekend amid threats of violence from opponents, saying it was a test of democracy for a country due to join the European Union next year.
Last year's event, held in the Adriatic city of Split, plunged into violence as police failed to protect the marchers from angry locals who pelted them with eggs and rocks. Several people were injured and at least 30 arrested.
Several nationalist and war veteran groups have issued warnings against this year's June 9 march in Split, calling it a "shameful provocation by sick people to which we will respond."
Split Mayor Zeljko Kerum has also said he would not take part in the march, which he said was disapproved of by most residents.
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Nevertheless, in an unprecedented move for the Balkans, where gay rights are largely ignored and Pride marches are few and far between, the liberal center-left cabinet said it approved of the event.
Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic called on Split residents to show tolerance and accept "standard democratic practice of Western Europe."
"The eyes of the European Union will be focused on Split on Saturday ... The gay population does not threaten anyone and we just have to accept them," Milanovic told Media Servis, a local electronic news provider.
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Indeed, the EU delegation in the capital Zagreb said in a statement that it would be watching the march carefully.
"We are encouraged by government members' plans to take part... but at the same time we express our concern at some homophobic comments by the local (Split) authorities," the AFP quoted an EU statement as saying.
The country is set to join the European Union in July 2013.
Similar marches have been held for a decade in the capital Zagreb under heavy police protection, but with a relatively few incidents.
Reuters contributed to this report.
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Good for them. One small step at a time and soon enough you'll have religious zealots screaming about you shoving homosexuality down their throats just like our religious zealots here in America. Good luck and keep safe.
And woe betide anyone who attacks government officials as they march. They're thankfully in positions to do something about it, even if the police won't, including seeing to it the police lose their jobs and attackers receive maximum prison sentences.
Croatians are very conservative traditional Catholics. This is a good step forward for inclusion.
There are gays in Croatia? ;-)
Those commenting thus far do not see what goes on for what it really is. Does a nation really have to like and approve queers to have inclusion into the European Union? That's B. S. Since the vast majority of Croations view homosexuality with disgust as a filthy thing, as do the vast majority of Americans, they should not have to be forced to get behind that which is abnormal to them for political profit. Plus you all need to see this news article for what it really is - - simply MSNBC News waving the gay flag and inviting everyone to march in the parade and say "Its okay to be Gay", even though Bible scripture said it is not okay. Now. I did not write that in the Bible, but you should not expect me to say its okay to be gay when God already said its not, when I love God. You go ahead if you like, but I have a moral compass. Have a nice day. If you think you're being wise and hip to hate the Bible, go on ahead. This ain't about religion, but about fundamental right and wrong and having some moral loyalty to decent standards.
God never said anything about gays , the bible was written by people who believed that god spoke to them through dreams and other such nonsense so what the bible says means nothing to many people that actually know the history of that book . personally I think it's a good step forward for them , get out of the dark ages the bible would have you locked into .
Interesting how aversion to perversion is "dark ages and homophobic".
Nature itself proves that there is a God and nature itself proves that homosexuality is is not right.
Now if you believe that anything is exceptable, as long as it feels good, well "that won't pan out."
God has provided His Holy Spirit to dwell within His people, and the Holy Spirit shows us what the difference between right and wrong is. The Holy Spirit also convicts the world of sin, so that it will be without excuse, for rejecting to do what is right and making excuses for doing wrong.
The only real solution is found in John 3:16 "
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
He that believes on him is not condemned: but he that believes not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Umm, someone better tell the homosexual penguins, giraffes, swans, dolphins, dogs, and chimps that they are not allowed on the planet. I know these queer animals exist because they have been in the news quite often. Too bad you missed the hoopla.
And what are we to do with all the worms out there who reproduce simply by climbing onto another worm (male or female) and have sex with them? Hmmmmm. Your god must have been high on crack when worms were created.
If your religion requires you to hate, then it's time to find a new one. Christians, you are losing the majority of the younger generation because of your bigotry & animus.