ZAGREB, July 24 (Hina) - Talks on a new government programme resume on Thursday and will focus on an agreement on the new parliamentary majority, while personnel will be addressed later, leaders of the parliamentary majority told
reporters after an eight-hour session on Wednesday.
ZAGREB, July 24 (Hina) - Talks on a new government programme resume
on Thursday and will focus on an agreement on the new parliamentary
majority, while personnel will be addressed later, leaders of the
parliamentary majority told reporters after an eight-hour session
on Wednesday. #L#
The new government's programme was discussed today in minute
detail, said the leaders of the Croatian Peasant Party (HSS), the
Liberal Party (LS), and the Independent Liberals - Zlatko Tomcic,
Zlatko Kramaric, and Jozo Rados.
Rados said that some 15 items had been singled out from the
programme. They are to be reviewed by the prime minister designate
Ivica Racan for tomorrow's discussion.
Rados said the government programme included a reform of the
military but that it was to be seen if it would be among the 15
priorities.
Tomcic said the talks on the new government programme and personnel
would probably wrap up within the next couple of days, thus
providing conditions for an extraordinary parliamentary session
convened for next week.
None of the three leaders wished to speak about the three candidates
mentioned by the media as possible new ministers - Ljubo Jurcic,
Neven Budak, and Damir Kustrak - saying this was the competence of
the PM-designate. Tomcic confirmed that Racan had mentioned three
names yesterday, but said that every candidate had to be agreed on.
Tomcic and Kramaric expressly stated that their parties had no
wishes as regards the new cabinet. The HSS does not even want the
office of deputy prime minister.
The most important thing is to formulate the government programme
and choose people who can carry it out, said Kramaric.
Rados, who has resigned to the office of defence minister,
dismissed media claims that only one Independent Liberal would stay
in the new government as unfounded speculation. He added it was yet
to be seen if he would leave the government for parliament.
Rados said he knew nothing about his successor. When reporters
mentioned presidential advisor Imra Agotic, he said it would not be
a good solution.
Reporters asked if the fact that Rados and Kramaric appeared before
the media together meant a closer cooperation between the two
liberal parties, Rados answered in the affirmative.
The president of the Croatian People's Party (HNS), Vesna Pusic,
did not attend today's meeting.
(hina) ha