IDS SUPPORTS NEW PM DESIGNATE, AND IS WILLING TO TAKE PART IN CABINET

PAZIN/ZAGREB, July 9 (Hina) - The Istrian Democratic Assembly (IDS) leader, Ivan Jakovcic, on Tuesday morning said his party "is willing in principle to take part in the executive authorities, but if everything is to be reduced to the trade for offices, and there are some indications of it, the IDS will not participate in it." #L# On Monday afternoon, Jakovcic and the IDS parliamentary bench's head, Damir Kajin, held consultations with Croatian President on the choice of the new Prime Minister designate. After the talks in Zagreb, Jakovcic said they had notified President Stjepan Mesic that the IDS would take part in a parliamentary majority and support the new PM designate, but would not insist on its inclusion in the new cabinet at all costs. "The participation in the government is not a necessary pre- condition for the IDS support," the party chief said in Zagreb. On Tuesday morning, after the IDS presidency's session in Pazin, Jakovcic reiterated that this party would take part in the new cabinet only under condition that a constructive atmosphere be created around the set-up of the new government. The IDS presidency is against early elections, as it believes that citizens are expecting the stabilisation of the situation both in the parliament and government, he added. It is now up to politicians in Croatia to create a parliamentary majority which will, in a stable manner, govern the country in almost two following years, Jakovcic said. The IDS urges the continuation of decentralisation and expects that the new government will address some 15 issues such as the economic growth and the relations with the UN war crimes tribunal in the Hague (ICTY) until the end of its time term. (hina) ms