THREE NEWLY-ELECTED CONSTITUTIONAL COURT JUDGES TAKE OATH

ZAGREB, April 11 (Hina) - Three newly-elected Croatian Constitutional Court judges - Agata Racan, Mario Kos and Zeljko Potocnjak - swore oaths on Wednesday before the President of the Republic promising to abide by and uphold the Constitution and laws and carry out their duties conscientiously. Strengthening institutions of the state and establishing the rule of law are particularly important for the speed of the democratisation process and rapprochement with the European Union, President Stjepan Mesic said congratulating the judges after the oath-taking ceremony. "You face the responsibility of carrying out your duties in an honourable and honest manner, following only the Constitution and laws, as well as, in every moment, the principles of justice and humanity and your own conscience," Mesic said expressing confidence the Constitutional Court would preserve its reputation in its full composition. The oath-taking ceremony was also attended by Sabor Speaker Zlatko Tomcic, Constitutional Court judges, Justice Minister Stjepan Ivanisevic, State Prosecutor Radovan Ortynski, Ombudsman Ante Klaric, high court presidents and acting presidents and representatives of institutions which nominated the new judges and their families. Agata Racan was nominated by the Association of Croatian Women Lawyers, Kos by the Croatian Bar Association and Potocnjak by the Zagreb Faculty of Law. The new judges were elected after the number of Constitutional Court judges was increased from 11 to 13 as a result of last year's constitutional changes and after judge Velimir Belajec was sent into retirement at his own request. Twenty-two candidates competed for the posts. The Sabor Committee on the Constitution, Rule Book and Political System suggested and the Sabor accepted the candidature of Agata Racan, Mario Kos and Zeljko Potocnjak. (hina) rml