ZAGREB, Jan 18 (Hina) - Croatia's President Stjepan Mesic on Thursday advised the Government to appoint the State Prosecutor. "During this session as well, we have shown that we shall fight for the rule of law and the strict abiding
by law. In order to see this taking place, the Government must, in the only way it can take part in the penal policy, appoint the state attorney (...) who will enforce the policy which won the election," Mesic sad at the end of Thursday's session at which the Ivica Racan Cabinet marked the first anniversary of its work. Since last July, when the then State Prosecutor Berislav Zivkovic was relieved of duty, his deputy Slavko Zadnik has been acting State Prosecutor. During today's two-and-half-hour session, Prime Minister Ivica Racan, President Mesic who attended this ceremonial session, ministers and other government officials, presented the basic results of their work in the pas
ZAGREB, Jan 18 (Hina) - Croatia's President Stjepan Mesic on
Thursday advised the Government to appoint the State Prosecutor.
"During this session as well, we have shown that we shall fight for
the rule of law and the strict abiding by law. In order to see this
taking place, the Government must, in the only way it can take part
in the penal policy, appoint the state attorney (...) who will
enforce the policy which won the election," Mesic sad at the end of
Thursday's session at which the Ivica Racan Cabinet marked the
first anniversary of its work.
Since last July, when the then State Prosecutor Berislav Zivkovic
was relieved of duty, his deputy Slavko Zadnik has been acting State
Prosecutor.
During today's two-and-half-hour session, Prime Minister Ivica
Racan, President Mesic who attended this ceremonial session,
ministers and other government officials, presented the basic
results of their work in the past year, problems they were faced
with and basic guidelines for their activities in 2001.
Summing up the discussion, PM Racan said Croatia needed support for
what was good and criticism for what was bad.
We incessantly stressed that our programme is for four years and we
are prepared to answer for it within this term of office, Racan said
recounting a joke that some predicted only six months for this
coalition government, which consists of representatives from six
political parties.
The PM described the Government's cooperation with the national
parliament and the President of the Republic as good, but this did
not mean that there were no differences. However, Racan reiterated,
the Government has often emphasised that differences are sometimes
desirable.
He added that his Cabinet would like to continue cooperating with
President Mesic and expressed his belief that the head of state
wanted the same.
In this context, President Mesic said that his presence at today's
session showed that he and the government were on the same side.
He congratulated the government on the persistence and courage in
adopting this year's budget.
Mesic in particular spoke of the problem of privileges and their
slashing, and in this context he expressed his support to war
veterans' minister Ivica Pancic and his ministry, that bore the
brunt of the criticism of opponents in the last year.
During the first year of its term of office, the incumbent Croatian
government held a total of 61 sessions and considered over 1,200
items on agendas. The Racan Cabinet adopted almost 1,950 different
acts such as decrees and decisions and drew up 195 legal acts.
(hina) ms