PARLIAMENT SESSION ON 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF CRO'S RECOGNITION ENDS

ZAGREB, Jan 15 (Hina) - Croatian President Stjepan Mesic, Parliament Speaker Zlatko Tomcic and Prime Minister Ivica Racan held speeches at a special session of the Croatian parliament on Tuesday on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of Croatia's international recognition, accentuating the importance of the country's economic and democratic development and its joining the European Union. Speaking about the policy of the state's leadership at the time of Croatia's recognition, President Mesic said it should be commended for having recognised the factors which made it possible for Croatia to embark on a path towards independence. "History remembers and will remember this. However, history also remembers that moves were made at that time which were objectively in favour of the Greater Serbian ambitions of (former Yugoslav president) Slobodan Milosevic. The angatonising of the Serb minority in Croatia, which Milosevic had tried to harness to a carriage of his seemingly pro-Yugoslav, but actually only Greater Serbian, policy, was carried out purposely," Mesic said. Somebody may say that it is inappropriate to show one's own dirty laundry publicly in a ceremonious moment, the president said, adding that the readiness and ability to admit failures and mistakes was proof of Croatia's democratic maturity and resoluteness for such mistakes never to be made again. He pointed out Croatia's chief tasks were consolidation of democracy, the strengthening of the foundations of civil society, and the stimulation of the economy. He called for a general consensus on the basic reference points of the state policy. Prime Minister Ivica Racan announced in his speech that he would undertake all measures so the government could by January 15, 2003 submit a request for the country's full membership in the EU. He stressed that the government had no doubts, that it saw no other path except the one it was already on -- the path to Europe. The prime minister stressed that Croatia's independence and its international recognition had been gained thanks to the unity of the Croatian people, adding that the then state leadership also deserved commendation. Racan asserted that the most difficult task of his government and Croatia was completed, and lying ahead were measures which would guarantee a better life for Croatian citizens, and make Croatia a country of happy and satisfied people. Parliament speaker Zlatko Tomcic called for a responsible and consistent building of the envisaged future for Croatia and its citizens. Marking the tenth anniversary of the international recognition of the democratic Croatia ... we simply must responsibly and consistently create the envisaged future for Croatia and its citizens, Tomcic stressed. The focus of Tomcic's speech was on the need to prepare for entry into the EU, and the first task of the parliament was the adjustment of domestic legislation to that of Europe. Ten years ago to the day, in the midst of Serb aggression, Croatia was recognised by 12 EU member states, and that day, January 15, 1992, is today considered one of the most important events in Croatia's history. The special session was attended by members of the Croatian government, parliament, former premiers and parliament speakers, representatives of the Church, judiciary, public and cultural institutions, and county prefects. When President Mesic was holding his speech, some MPs from the ranks of the Croatian Democratic Union party left the parliament hall, disgruntled by his remarks about the failures and mistakes of the former government. (hina) lml