SANADER: HDZ PREPARING FOR PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS

VARAZDINSKE TOPLICE, Oct 5 (Hina) - Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) leader Ivo Sanader said on Saturday that his party was preparing for parliamentary elections because it was "confident that Croatia can do better than with the current government, and cannot accept the atmosphere of resignation in the country". #L# Speaking to reporters in Varazdinske Toplice, where the party is holding a conference to define its strategy for parliamentary elections, Sanader said that the HDZ was capable of tackling burning problems and protecting national interests, instead of "buying time and doing a poor job like Racan's government". Croatia can be built as a country where it will be possible to live better, but this requires a change of the current authorities and policy in an election, Sanader said. Croatia must not isolate itself from Europe and the world, but establish partnership with them, critically examining and improving it, the party leader said. He added that his party was not advocating isolationism. The HDZ is still firmly committed to Croatia's admission to Euro-Atlantic associations, he said. Today and tomorrow party deputies will discuss economic issues, the situation in the judiciary, and the fight against corruption. Asked about "disobedient" party county branches, Sanader said that the HDZ was a pluralist party but all were obliged to implement a uniform party policy. Commenting on the establishment of the Croatian Bloc, Sanader said that this and other parties which were established by renegade HDZ members was unnecessary. The HDZ is the strongest individual party in the country with 33 percent of the votes and is convincingly ahead of the SDP, Sanader said. The HDZ will participate in the elections independently and is willing to enter post-electoral coalitions with parties of the centre and right centre, he said. Attending the HDZ's conference are also numerous guests from abroad. (hina) rml