CROATIAN PARTY OF RIGHTS FOR EARLY ELECTION

ZAGREB, July 4 (Hina) - The ratification of the agreement on the Krsko nuclear power plant was in fact a test of strength in the coalition, Croatian Party of Rights (HSP) president Anto Djapic stated on Thursday, advocating an early election. He stated that it was unacceptable that Vesna Pusic might be the new prime minister, which seems to be the information circling. #L# Speaking at a press conference, Djapic said the Krsko agreement could not be justified either environmentally or in terms of economy. He reminded that prior to the ratification his party filed a suit with the Constitutional Court because it considered the agreement unconstitutional. The HSP believes that by ratifying the agreement, Croatia in fact agreed to write off Slovene debts dating back to 1998, when Slovenia unilaterally took over the management of the plant. Those debts, Djapic said, amount to US$200 million. He reminded that according to the agreement, Croatia was obliged to provide another US$500 million for nuclear waste disposal. He called on Prime Minister Ivica Racan to submit his resignation, adding that as far as the HSP was concerned, the only real solution to the current crisis was an early election. Djapic dismissed the idea that the president of the Croatian People's Party (HNS), Vesna Pusic, be appointed the premier- designate, as some sources seem to indicate. It is unacceptable that the prime minister or a deputy prime minister come from the party that has only two MPs in the Sabor, Djapic said. (hina) sp sb