"This, however, doesn't mean that everyone in Croatia or in this government is doing the same," Racan told the press in Pazin.
He said that unlike the previous, SDP-led government, the Ivo Sanader Cabinet had trouble proving its credibility because of the positions the ruling Croatian Democratic Union voiced about the extradition of Croatian generals to the UN court several years ago as well as because of numerous unclear and contradictory points in connection with that.
"I hope the envisaged date of Croatia's talks on admission to the European Union (March 17) will be respected, provided that this government manages to assure the European partners of its credibility, namely that it is truly doing everything in its power to arrest General Gotovina."
Responding to a question from the press, the leader of the strongest opposition party reiterated his stance that international arbitration was the only way to settle Croatian-Slovene border disputes.
"Politics should be left out of border issues. The date of international arbitration should not be rushed because... Slovenia is already a member of the European Union and Croatia's admission is a question of time," said Racan.
Also attending the press conference was Istrian Democratic Party (IDS) leader Ivan Jakovcic. He and Racan said they had agreed the two parties would run together in local elections in Istria and Primorje-Gorski Kotar counties.
Jakovcic said the SDP and the IDS would run separately in Istria County except for the city of Pula, and together in Primorje-Gorski Kotar County. "This cooperation reinforces the centre-left option which will take the leading position in Croatia," he said, adding the two parties would win the forthcoming local polls in Istria County.