TOMCIC: HSS TO TAKE PART IN NEXT ELECTION ON ITS OWN

ZAGREB, Dec 14 (Hina) - The Croatian Peasant Party (HSS) will participate in the next parliamentary election on its own, and once the election is over the party will choose partners based on how similar their stands on major issues are, party leader Zlatko Tomcic said at an HSS electoral assembly on Saturday. #L# "If you elect me party president, we will participate in the elections on our own," Tomcic told party deputies who are to elect the new party leadership for the next four years. Repeating that the HSS would not be slave to political orientation in choosing political partners, Tomcic said the party's priorities included a more ambitious development of economy, demographic revival, Croatia's pro-European policy and its relationship towards the region and neighbours, as well as the situation in the Foreign Ministry. The party believes that the Croatian diplomacy occasionally does not perform the tasks it should. In case the HSS does not find adequate partners, Tomcic said there was a possibility the party could become part of the Opposition, although he did not believe that would happen. Tomcic also spoke about proposals which he said threatened the traditional values of the Croatian society, and opposed the legalisation of light drugs, prostitution, as well as the regulation of the rights of homosexuals by the Family Law. He criticised the work of the ruling coalition, but added that it did not mean the HSS was leaving the coalition. The HSS will continue investing efforts into maintaining the coalition's stability, but on an equal basis and without underhand moves, he said. The coalition has made important steps with regard to the macroeconomic situation, but it was unsuccessful on the microeconomic front and with regard to securing better living conditions, he said. The HSS leader said that disagreements in the coalition were the result of inter-party relations not being regulated at the beginning. Speaking about privatisation, Tomcic said the HSS did not support the sale of property based on the model "sell now, to anyone, at any price". Tomcic is dissatisfied with the fact that Croatia still does not have an election law, stating that the current law was made for a bicameral parliament and that the new one should be adopted a year before elections. (hina) rml