Croat nationalists take to the streets

The rally was promoted months in advance

Carrying banners and Croatian flags, an estimated 30,000 nationalist demonstrators gathered in Zagreb's main square to denounce the government.

Hundreds of buses brought in veterans and right-wing supporters from all over the country.

The rally was organised by a war veterans' organisation.

But members of the main nationalist party, the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), were among those cheering.

The speakers called for the government to resign.

The HDZ are now in opposition, voted out of power nearly two years ago.

But they have been quick to exploit the difficulties of Prime Minister Ivica Racan.

War crimes

Mr Racan is cooperating with the war crimes tribunal - a betrayal, say the war veterans, of Croatia's heroes.

The veterans do not believe their side committed any war crimes. They argue they were just defending their homeland.

The prime minister retains a comfortable majority in parliament

It is a view shared by many Croatians, including some former members of Mr Racan's government - they resigned in July over the government's decision in principle to hand over two Croatian generals to the tribunal.

Only one of the generals has gone to the Hague, the other is a fugitive.

The government easily survived a vote of no-confidence then, but the issue remains sensitive - as the large turnout at Saturday's rally shows.