ZAGREB, Feb 8 (Hina) - The government is not undergoing a crisis, maintains Prime Minister Ivica Racan. He will persist in having the coalition partners discuss and work out their differences about the government's programme and
strategic directives, particularly with Drazen Budisa, the president of the Social Liberals (HSLS). Most government members are continuing to work responsibly and in this respect there is no crisis, Racan said in an interview with the print dailies and Hina on Friday. The PM said he was preoccupied with everyday, concrete issues, for example how to ensure millions of tonnes of gravel for the Zagreb-Split motorway or employ as many people as possible, which he added counter-balanced all political issues and factionalism. Working out differences is imperative because to avoid and let them escalate into a government and state crisis would be irresponsible to the citizens, the PM said. He also pointed to
ZAGREB, Feb 8 (Hina) - The government is not undergoing a crisis,
maintains Prime Minister Ivica Racan. He will persist in having the
coalition partners discuss and work out their differences about the
government's programme and strategic directives, particularly
with Drazen Budisa, the president of the Social Liberals (HSLS).
Most government members are continuing to work responsibly and in
this respect there is no crisis, Racan said in an interview with the
print dailies and Hina on Friday.
The PM said he was preoccupied with everyday, concrete issues, for
example how to ensure millions of tonnes of gravel for the Zagreb-
Split motorway or employ as many people as possible, which he added
counter-balanced all political issues and factionalism.
Working out differences is imperative because to avoid and let them
escalate into a government and state crisis would be irresponsible
to the citizens, the PM said. He also pointed to the need of
addressing the ambivalence of some members of the ruling coalition
towards the government who acted as though they were in the
opposition.
He reminded the five-party coalition graded the government lower
than public opinion polls. "This isn't a solid coalition, there is
no solid responsibility and solidarity in the execution of
authority here," Racan said, adding he was glad citizens'
assessment of the government's performance was three out of five as
against between one and two coming from the coalition sometimes.
Racan reiterated his wish for the government to complete its
mandate and show what it was capable of. He pointed to the paradox of
deliberately or non-deliberately forcing a crisis at a time when
the government was more effective in making up for its omissions and
stepping up development moves.
He conceded the government made a few mistakes but that the results
of the first two years in office were positive, including a higher
economic growth and industrial production, macroeconomic
stability, a stronger political and financial standing for
Croatia, and the introduction of democratic standards.
We are on a good path if we persevere and manage not to blow our
historic chances once again, said Racan.
As for his talks with Budisa, his chief coalition partner, the PM
said, "The important thing is to know where compromise is possible
and where it isn't. I know it and we shall see if the other sides does
too."
Compromise is not possible on irresponsible conduct, prospects for
Croatia's accession into the European Union, cooperation with
Europe, including the UN war crimes tribunal at The Hague, said
Racan. He refused to speculate on the outcome of the talks with
Budisa, saying he was waiting for the HSLS to resolve its internal
issues.
Racan said he would also insist on agreement on major reforms,
including in the military, police, and the judiciary,
privatisation and its character, regarding factionalism, and the
attitude towards international institutions and neighbours.
The ruling coalition's platform will have to be redefined in many
points, the PM said, stressing he did not shy away from dialogue and
differences.
Asked if the government could complete its mandate without the
support of the HSLS, Racan said the government had a chance provided
it had a stable support. He conceded that major upheavals within
parties and the coalition could prevent this, saying, "Today I'm a
little more pessimistic than yesterday as to the duration of this
coalition. But we shall see."
Asked if the government, despite an agreement on its programme,
might still find itself in a crisis due to personnel changes, Racan
said nobody was irreplaceable and that everybody could leave,
including the incumbent HSLS ministers.
The government works in an atmosphere of cooperation and
responsibility, but if someone wants to undermine it in the name of
narrow party interests, we shall first have to deal with such
misunderstandings and only then consider personnel changes, said
Racan, adding this, and his earlier statement about ambivalence
towards the government, did not refer to the HSLS alone.
Asked if parliament should be the one to assess outgoing ministers,
he said parliament had extensive powers to control the government.
Regarding speculation which saw Budisa first aspire to the post of
deputy PM and later that of the chief of diplomacy, Racan said,
"Hypothetically we could talk about Budisa as foreign minister,
about putting Minister (Tonino) Picula aside for a while and making
the SDP (Racan's Social Democrats) self-effacing again, but we
should also talk about the repercussions such a move would have in
relations with the world, with Europe."
Racan said discussion was possible on all proposals, provided there
was also careful consideration of the aftermath of such solutions.
Asked about the possibility of early elections, the prime minister
said he stood by his previously stated 60:40 chance only that now
the ratio might be the other way round.
(hina) ha