ZAGREB, Nov 19 (Hina) - Although they dismissed any possibility of forming a post-election coalition, the leaders of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), Ivica Racan and Ivo Sanader, have said
cooperation between Croatia's two strongest parties regarding the country's integration with the EU was unquestionable.
ZAGREB, Nov 19 (Hina) - Although they dismissed any possibility of
forming a post-election coalition, the leaders of the Social
Democratic Party (SDP) and the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ),
Ivica Racan and Ivo Sanader, have said cooperation between
Croatia's two strongest parties regarding the country's
integration with the EU was unquestionable. #L#
At their last, multimedia duel on Wednesday, which was covered live
by the OTV television station, Racan and Sanader commented on
speculations about a coalition between their parties in light of
preparations for the answer to Croatia's membership application,
which the European Commission is expected to give in March 2004.
"The advocacy of such a coalition, including by President Stjepan
Mesic, has an element of rationality. If that should prove vital, it
will only be wise to go in that direction. For the sake of our
people, we will cooperate in matters regarding admission to the EU,
there is a national consensus about that," Racan said.
Sanader believes that the prevention of new divisions among Croats
is another important reason to consider cooperation. He believes
that the harsh words exchanged between the SDP and the HDZ in the
elections campaign are exclusively part of election rhetoric.
"I don't consider Racan my enemy, but a political rival and God
forbid Croats should fight one another ever again," he said.
Exchanging accusations, both leaders dismissed any possibility of
their parties forming a coalition, with Racan saying that the SDP
would not form coalitions with right parties, and Sanader saying
that coalitions with left parties were out of the question.
Explaining his refusal of a coalition with the HDZ and right
parties, Racan said the HDZ's attempts at reform had failed.
"Behind the mask, there is the old, arrogant HDZ which disqualifies
its political opponents. Croatia does not need to be 'tudjmanised'
again, and Sanader cannot be the new Tudjman, except in his own
party."
Sanader responded by stating that Racan was heading the party which
had kept Croatia under communist dictatorship for 45 years, killing
and imprisoning people. He added that he was proud of Tudjman and
his contribution to the defence and establishment of Croatia's
independence.
He recalled the Social Democrats' walking out of the Croatian
parliament at the moment when the parliament was adopting a
decision to sever all constitutional ties with the former Yugoslav
federation.
Racan answered by saying that Tudjman was a historic figure in
circumstances of war and establishment of the state, but that "such
arrogance towards everybody and the personality cult are strange to
today's Croatia".
(hina) rml