OPPOSITION PARTY SAYS GOVERNMENT HAS NO ECONOMIC VISION

ZADAR, June 28 (Hina) - The Croatian government does not have a clear economic vision nor a maritime orientation and is working at the International Monetary Fund's dictate, the president of the opposition Democratic Centre (DC), Mate Granic, said on Saturday. #L# "This is why the maritime orientation is neglected and unused. The DC programme referring to maritime orientation prioritises the need to define borders with Slovenia, Serbia and Montenegro," Granic told a session of the party's Main Committee in Zadar which focused on the economic development of the coastline. The DC is advocating the proclamation of an economic belt in the Adriatic Sea and changes to the privatisation law, particularly with reference to the privatisation of the tourist sector. A coast guard which would strictly control the movements of ships has to be set up as soon as possible, said Granic. Speaking about the country's economy, he recalled Croatia's debt stood at US$18 billion and said projections indicated it would exceed $20 billion by the end of the year. At the same time, the balance of payments deficit is 6.9 percent of the gross domestic product, he said. Granic voiced hope the DC would score well at the next parliamentary election and be part of the new centre and centre-right ruling coalition. "We shall be in the government that takes Croatia into the EU." (hina) ha sb