ZAGREB, Feb 21 (Hina) - Commenting on activities which the new government has so far undertaken, Croatia's President Stjepan Mesic has said that all messages are acceptable for him, but after the expiry of its honeymoon, namely the
first 100 days since it took office, the Ivo Sanader Cabinet must take brave steps in accordance with the Croatian Democratic (HDZ) slogan in the run-up to the election 'Let's Set Croatia in Motion'.
ZAGREB, Feb 21 (Hina) - Commenting on activities which the new
government has so far undertaken, Croatia's President Stjepan Mesic
has said that all messages are acceptable for him, but after the
expiry of its honeymoon, namely the first 100 days since it took
office, the Ivo Sanader Cabinet must take brave steps in accordance
with the Croatian Democratic (HDZ) slogan in the run-up to the
election 'Let's Set Croatia in Motion'.#L#
The government must offer transparent programmes which will be
acceptable to the world. We should not be afraid of foreign capital if
it can help us in our development, President Mesic said at a meeting
with 101 listeners of the local Radio 101 and its editor Zrinka
Vrabec-Mojzes. Mesic answered their questions, and this was broadcast
live by the said radio station on Saturday.
Croatia is indebted, but it is not so much indebted that it could not
function, the head of state said adding that in the past Croatia used
to incur debts for spending but currently those loans were being used
for development.
Mesic said he had not yet decided whether he would again run for
presidential elections. "There are many suggestions and positions that
I should again stand for the presidential election, but we are hear to
reach agreement," Mesic said.
Asked who might be the most serious rival in the presidential race,
Mesic answered that certainly there were many serious people who could
do this job.
Asked how much the case of the fugitive general Ante Gotovina could
affect Croatia's bids to enter the European Union, the head of state
said that only if Gotovina might be in Croatia and only if the current
authorities tried to agree with him how to shun enforcement of
Croatian laws, this would affect the pace of Croatia's admission. As
long as there is no final ruling, nobody can be regarded guilty, and
therefore it is logical that those who defended Croatia, appear
before the court where they can only challenge indictments and defend
their own dignity and dignity of the Croatian army, Mesic said.
He went on to say that Croatia's future is to be a part of a united
Europe and therefore Croatians should prepare themselves to achieve
European standards as soon as possible.
(Hina) ms sb