COALITION'S STAND ON ISTRA COUNTY STATUTE ABSURD - JAKOVCIC

PULA, April 10 (Hina) - The president of the Istrian Democratic Assembly (IDS), one of the ruling coalition's six parties, said on Tuesday the coalition's position on the passing of an Istra County statute introducing bilingualism in the county was absurd. The coalition held a meeting today, without representatives of the IDS, at which they condemned the IDS leadership's steps and conduct in passing the statute yesterday. It was a rash move directed at winning points at upcoming local elections, Prime Minister Ivica Racan said. "I am surprised and disappointed with the assessment made by the five coalition members, as for me there is only the Constitution and Croatian laws and they are the criterion which has to be taken into account as regards the Istra County Statute," said IDS president Ivan Jakovcic. The IDS wants an immediate assessment of what is anti- constitutional and illegal in the statute to put an end to political disputes in the future, he said. Asked about his failure to attend the coalition meeting today, Jakovcic said he had to attend an IDS Council session which tackled preparations for local elections in May. (hina) ha