RIJEKA, Feb 6 (Hina) - Commenting on some speculation on whether earlyparliamentary elections would be held in the country, CroatianPresident Stjepan Mesic said on Sunday that in case the ruling partyfailed to fulfil promises it gave
while in the Opposition could leadto such an outcome, and added that he was not quite sure "whether thearrest and transfer of the runaway general Ante Gotovina to the Haguetribunal could have an impact on holding the early elections".
RIJEKA, Feb 6 (Hina) - Commenting on some speculation on whether
early parliamentary elections would be held in the country, Croatian President
Stjepan Mesic said on Sunday that in case the ruling party failed to fulfil
promises it gave while in the Opposition could lead to such an outcome, and
added that he was not quite sure "whether the arrest and transfer of the
runaway general Ante Gotovina to the Hague tribunal could have an impact on
holding the early elections".Mesic, who on Sunday visited the northern coastal city of Rijeka, told
reporters that "the arrest and transfer of general Gotovina to the Hague
tribunal much depends on whether he is at all in Croatia".
Mesic said he hoped that along with the more intensive search for the
runaway general, Croatia would meet all commitments set before the country by
the European Union.
General Gotovina has been on the run since the summer of 2001 when the
Hague-based UN tribunal unsealed his indictment.
Asked by reporters to assess his cooperation with Prime Minister Ivo
Sanader, the head of state said that it was relatively satisfactory.
Mesic on Sunday attended the festivities held within the 22th
international carnival in the biggest Croatian seaport of Rijeka. The carnival
jamborees pooled over 10,000 masked revellers.