MESIC: WE SHALL REACH AGREEMENT AND PUT A STOP TO CRISIS

ZAGREB, March 6 (Hina) - Croatian president Stjepan Mesic said Wednesday the ruling coalition would reach an agreement and put a stop to the government crisis. I have spoken to some government members and I believe an agreement will be reached, ending the government crisis, Mesic said at the opening of a Centre for Addiction Smoking Prevention. If the government fails to reach a consensus aimed at solving the crisis, we will have to convene and see what needs to be done, the president said. The coalition itself will decide how much Drazen Budisa (president of the Croatian Social Liberal Party) is useful for the government for the next two years, Mesic said, stressing that results measured success of politics. He confirmed the authenticity of facts published in some media that he had met a candidate for the president of the Croatian Democratic Union party, Ivic Pasalic, but dismissed allegations that he had amnestied him. Numerous illegal acts occurred at the time Pasalic was an advisor to the former president. According to transcripts obtained from the former president's office, it is evident Pasalic had initiated many acts himself, but crimes are under the jurisdiction of the police and the State Prosecution, President Mesic said. It is not up to me to say who should be prosecuted and I cannot accuse anybody until the person is convicted, Mesic said, adding that he did not consider other party members as enemies, but people with opinions different to his. (hina) lml sb