Karamarko the new chief of the Counterintelligence Agency (POA), but added that his appointment was not the solution to the entire problem.
"The problem of deformation and politicisation of secret services, violation of laws and human rights cannot be solved by simply appointing a new chief," Racan said at a news conference during a break in today's session of the SDP Main Committee.
He stressed that the investigation should be completed into what had caused the recent POA scandal and added that the new POA chief would have a great responsibility in doing so, responsibility which he said would be shared by Mesic and Sanader since they countersigned Karamarko's appointment.
"One should see what is still to be done to ensure good civilian supervision and control of the work of secret services and prevent their future abuse to the detriment of citizens."
Asked whether Karamarko was a good choice, Racan said that he was inasmuch as his appointment was accepted by both the president and the prime minister, but that he would have to prove this with actions.
On the occasion of International Human Rights Day, Racan sent an open letter to Interior Minister Marijan Mlinaric citing several incidents connected with the behaviour of some of the police staff which he said constituted obvious violations of human rights and freedoms and were sanctioned only after they had been made public.
Asked to comment on today's statement by Croatian People's Party (HNS) representative Antun Kapraljevic that Racan had asked the HNS to drop its proposal to establish a parliamentary commission to investigate Foreign Minister Miomir Zuzul and Prime Minister Ivo Sanader, Racan said that the statement was absurd and that he regretted that it came from an opposition party.
"Two weeks ago I stated on behalf of the SDP that one should stop the war over commissions of inquiry and see whether the commission for conflict of interest would finally start operating so that it could deal with some of the problems, while other competent organs would start dealing with other problems, such as violations of the law and crime. I have nothing to add to that," Racan said.
The head of the SDP Main Committee, Tonino Picula, said that the SDP and the Peasant Party (HSS) would reach agreement to participate together in local elections in two disputed counties based on the results of an opinion poll which was being conducted and that they would introduce their candidates around Christmas.