CROATIAN PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS TO THE NATION

ZAGREB, July 10 (Hina) - This isn't the time for waiting or calculating. This isn't the time to promote personal or party interests, Croatian President Stjepan Mesic said on Wednesday in his televised address to the nation. Mesic addressed the nation after he had entrusted the resigned Prime Minister, Ivica Racan, to set up a new government. #L# Croatia needs an action to be launched by the government but one that will encompass all its citizens, President Mesic said. He added that it was now up to the Prime Minister designate to establish a government and to present a proposed composition and programme to the parliament and it was up to members of the parliament to decide whether to give him their vote of confidence, Mesic added. I wish to express my hope that the programme the prime minister designate is to present to the Sabor will respond to the current moment with which Croatia is faced and to its needs that the current problems be quickly, effectively and energetically resolved President Mesic said. He said he decided to appoint Ivica Racan as the new PM designate after he had held consultations with leaders of all parliamentary parties. Mesic informed the public that during the consultations he held, he was acquainted with different proposals ranging from the suggestion that the resigned premier should be re-appointed, that an interim government with experts be set up, to the proposals for early elections. The head of state said that upon the completion of the consultations and in compliance with his Constitutional powers as well as in accordance with the number of seats which parties advocating Racan as the new PM, were holding, Mesic opted for re-appointment of Racan. Mesic said he did not want to prejudge the outcome of the developments, but expressed the hope that the programme which Racan should present in the parliament would suit the country's current needs. The new government, regardless of who would be its members, must be able to take initiative and must not exhaust itself in the futile discussions on its internal problems. He urged the new cabinet to seek solutions taking into account only the interests of its country and its citizens. Mesic reiterated that the biggest problems were unemployment and the restoration of production. The biggest task in the foreign policy would be bids to come close to EuroAtlantic integration processes. "Our public is impatient with all reason. Our public is dissatisfied also with all reason. There will be no more makeup exam," the Croatian president said. At the end of his address he wished success to the re-appointed PM designate. (hina) sp ms