ZAGREB, April 8 (Hina) - Prime Minister Ivica Racan believes the new government composition is doing well. Racan spoke about a number of current topics in the Croatian Radio programme "How the Government Governs".
ZAGREB, April 8 (Hina) - Prime Minister Ivica Racan believes the new
government composition is doing well. Racan spoke about a number of
current topics in the Croatian Radio programme "How the Government
Governs". #L#
I believe the government has overcome its crisis and I do not expect
any deterioration in relations with regard to strategic issues,
particularly with regard to co-operation with The Hague, Racan
said.
"Too many calculations are going on in the public about the case of
General Ante Gotovina, and a certain portion of this is coming from
his defence - legal or illegal - who in my opinion aren't helping him
very much," said Racan.
He added that Gotovina could defend himself against the charges
only if he went to The Hague and without him actually going there, no
one could expect the indictment to be changed.
The positive evaluation by the International Monetary Fund is most
significant for Croatia as it means that all the rights from the
stand-by arrangement can now be realised. That evaluation gives us
a better position to negotiate any possible new arrangements which,
if they are to come about, will not be as rigid as those preceding,
Racan said, adding that Croatia can insist on further co-operation
that will not be as binding.
Answering a question about the possible replacement of State
Prosecutor Radovan Ortynski, Racan answered that one should wait
until the next government session on Thursday, when a report on the
activities of the State Prosecutor's Office would be discussed.
However, Racan added that he spoke to Ortynski on Monday and it was
likely that "he himself may make some moves".
Speaking about social partnership, Racan noted that the government
would always be willing to co-operate. Labour must be protected but
we need to be realistic and ascertain long term interests for
workers, which means employing a larger number of the labour force
instead of preserving jobs, if conditions allow it, he said.
Racan noted that Croatia had large severance pays and long notice
periods compared to other European countries. If we are not able to
come to some sort of agreement, employers will begin to hire people
for determined periods of time and this won't do anything to help
workers, claimed Racan.
"I have the feeling that individuals are politically manipulating
the policemen who are protesting in St. Mark's Square," he said
adding that a government commission would investigate each
individual case of dismissed policemen, with priority being given
to those policemen currently on hunger strike.
(hina) sb sp