IDS FOR ASSOCIATION OF CENTRE-LEFT PARTIES, LAW ON REGIONAL AUTONOMY OF ISTRIA

PULA, Dec 19 (Hina) - Istrian Democratic Assembly (IDS) president Ivan Jakovic said on Friday he was satisfied with the results the party had achieved at recent parliamentary elections in a coalition with the Social Democrats, but added that now that the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) was in power the task of the IDS was to initiate association of centre-left parties into a joint project as an alternative to the ruling right-wing, and to initiate the passing of a law under which Istria would exercise the right to regional autonomy.#L# The IDS has not achieved its political goals due to the victory of the HDZ and the failure of the outgoing ruling coalition at the elections, Jakovcic said at a party meeting, adding that the IDS had always been realistic and therefore the most stable party in the country. He went on to say that major tasks were ahead for the IDS, such as an initiative to join centre-left parties into a clearly defined opposition, and an initiative to pass a law that would enable Istria to gain regional autonomy. If the law is turned town, the IDS will organise a referendum to assume the responsibility for the future of Istria and its residents, Jakovcic said. "The IDS wants to achieve regional autonomy for Istria because that's what its residents want us to do," he said, adding that he did not expect Croatian authorities to look favourably on regional autonomy as that was not the case with a central government anywhere in the world. Now that Croatia is before the gates to the European Union, which is also thanks to the IDS, it is logical that Istria's residents should exercise their right to regional autonomy through the activity of the IDS, Jakovcic said. IDS deputies wrapped up today's meeting by giving a vote of confidence in the current party presidency. (Hina) ha