Croatians rally against EU membership

ZAGREB, Croatia, Jan. 16 (UPI) -- About 400 people in Zagreb demonstrated against Croatia's possible European Union membership, authorities said.

Conservative parties, including the Croatian Party of Rights and the Croatian Pure Party of Rights, organized the weekend protest, the Croatian Times reported.

Josip Miljak, president of the Croatian Pure Party of Rights, told the Times the country had nothing to gain by joining the EU.

"Our leading elite have destroyed this country and now they are pushing us into the EU. They are actually forcing guns into our hands," he said. "Non-Croats will be free to populate our territory, Italians will populate Dalmatia. Don't be traitors, vote against."

Speakers at the demonstration raised concerns over the loss of sovereignty and national pride as well as the economic weakness they say will be the result of joining the union.

A referendum for Croatia's EU membership is scheduled for Jan. 22