ZAGREB, Aug 28 (Hina) - "Arbitration is the only logical and normal solution at this moment, even though it will not be easy," the president of the Croatian Peasants' Party (HSS), Zlatko Tomcic, told reporters after a meeting of
representatives of the ruling coalition parties who discussed the situation regarding the current border dispute with Slovenia.
ZAGREB, Aug 28 (Hina) - "Arbitration is the only logical and normal
solution at this moment, even though it will not be easy," the
president of the Croatian Peasants' Party (HSS), Zlatko Tomcic,
told reporters after a meeting of representatives of the ruling
coalition parties who discussed the situation regarding the
current border dispute with Slovenia. #L#
Answering a reporter's question, Tomcic said the issue of
arbitration would be discussed by negotiators, who would also agree
on the arbitrator and the degree to which arbitration is biding.
"Considering the meeting of the two premiers, which will take place
in the near future, I believe things will head towards that
direction. After (their) first meeting, we shall see what the
prospects are like," Tomcic said.
Asked whether he believed that possible arbitration should be
discussed by the Croatian parliament, Tomcic said the parliament
should request serious legal and expert opinions on the issue.
Considering the fact that (according to the Constitution) the
border with other countries can be regulated only by the parliament
and that accepting highly binding arbitration results actually
means defining the state border, it is logical for the parliament to
ratify the arbitration agreement before arbitration, should such
an agreement be signed, Tomcic said.
All ruling coalition parties agree that arbitration is one of the
possible solutions, Liberal Party president Zlatko Kramaric told
reporters.
Asked whether Croatia should back out of the initialled agreement,
Kramaric said it was obvious the agreement would not be implemented
and that the further escalation of unnecessary conflicts should be
prevented through new rounds of negotiations. In his opinion, the
announced Racan-Drnovsek meeting should be viewed in that
context.
Also present at the meeting were the presidents of the Social
Democratic Party and the Croatian People's Party, Ivica Racan and
Vesna Pusic, and a representative of the Independent Liberals, Jozo
Rados.
(hina) it sb