ZAGREB, April 11 (Hina) - An early election would not make any significant change in the balance of forces, Croatian President Stjepan Mesic said in an interview with Wednesday's issue of the Vecernji List daily. "It (the balance of
forces) would be the same or slightly changed, and it is necessary to make such progress in the process of decision-making which would make Croatia recognisable and more attractive to investors," he said. The country needs foreign capital to set its economy in operation, Mesic said, adding too little had been done in tracing the money taken out of Croatia. "We are too much concerned with the past," Mesic said. Ordinary people are not preoccupied with high politics and the speed of integration into Europe but how to survive, he added. Asked about the latest situation in Bosnia-Herzegovina, particularly as regards the moves of Ante Jelavic, the President said
ZAGREB, April 11 (Hina) - An early election would not make any
significant change in the balance of forces, Croatian President
Stjepan Mesic said in an interview with Wednesday's issue of the
Vecernji List daily.
"It (the balance of forces) would be the same or slightly changed,
and it is necessary to make such progress in the process of
decision-making which would make Croatia recognisable and more
attractive to investors," he said. The country needs foreign
capital to set its economy in operation, Mesic said, adding too
little had been done in tracing the money taken out of Croatia.
"We are too much concerned with the past," Mesic said. Ordinary
people are not preoccupied with high politics and the speed of
integration into Europe but how to survive, he added.
Asked about the latest situation in Bosnia-Herzegovina,
particularly as regards the moves of Ante Jelavic, the President
said he was surprised at Jelavic's "continuing to insist on a policy
which makes no sense whatsoever. It is necessary to establish
communication with the international community and define rules
for all through institutions. One should seek the assistance of the
international community in that process. Persistent accusations
against and opposition to the international community will not
solve any problem," he said.
Commenting on the announced cancellation of military service,
Mesic said the principles of the professional army did not
eliminate the possibility of serving in the forces for a certain
period of time. "However, we must be aware that all are equal before
the law and not make a decision which will authorise somebody to
draft someone only because there are not enough professional
soldiers, he said.
Mesic believes the trend of cancelling military service should be
supported until more adequate solutions were found. We must not
allow a situation where young people do not know how to react in case
they have to defend their country, he said.
Mesic also said that those who had not managed to reduce his powers
by changing the Constitution were now trying to further reduce them
with legal regulations. Asked about a law on national security,
which should be adopted soon, President Mesic said a compromise
would be made, and the compromise was in the Constitution. Under the
Constitution, the President co-ordinates intelligence services
(...) a single institution should control both the analytics and
control mechanisms. The Government and the President can
participate if only to appoint senior officials in such an
institution. I believe we will seek a solution along those lines.
The worst solution with regard to secret services and the army would
be to seek the decision of the Constitutional Court, Mesic said.
(hina) rml