PRESIDENT MESIC EXCORIATES GOVERNMENT

RIJEKA, March 23 (Hina) - Croatian President Stipe Mesic decried the government today for not having found a policy model for expediting the growth of the gross domestic product and employment. During a meeting with officials of the Primorje-Gorski Kotar region, the President said the key goal of Croatia's national policy is economic growth and decreasing unemployment. "The government does not take sufficient heed of the problems of workers and union requests, it is forgetful of election promises, of the financial consolidation of local self-government and the direct elections for mayor," Mesic said, asserting political parties bore special responsibility for the situation in the country. President Mesic also commented on the former government authorities, stating many were having a difficult time bearing their loss of power and privileges to which they never actually had any legal right or foundation, so today they were constantly trying to find new reasons for creating public tension and "singular atmosphere". It should be constantly repeated that Croatia was created in the Homeland Defence War, but that individual war crimes should be processed which does not shed a negative light on the defence war, but just the opposite, President Mesic stressed. "The rights of war veterans, invalids and the families of the killed are unquestionable, while unfounded privileges are something quite different and should be warded to maintain the means for securing indisputable rights," Mesic said, adding that a special place belonged to the strengthening democratic institutions, the creation of a law-based state and the rule of law. (hina) lml sb