PREMIER RACAN CONDEMNS SPLIT INCIDENTS

ZAGREB, May 7 (Hina) - Last weekend's events in Split, when protesters hurled abuse at Croatian President Stjepan Mesic, are detrimental to both Croatia and its position in Europe, Prime Minister Ivica Racan said on Monday. A civilised, democratic Croatia finds it difficult to accept when insults and hatred replace dialogue and tolerance. Inflammatory remarks do not belong to Europe but to the Balkans, Racan told a regular monthly news conference, commenting on events at the Split barracks Dracevac and protest meetings which took place in Split due to personnel changes in the city's "Slobodna Dalmacija" daily. Racan regrets that President Mesic has responded to the provocations and the insults but understands his reaction and says it is typical of Mesic's temperament. Mesic himself should decide whether to apologise for his response or not, Racan said. Namely, some city councillors from Split, who are members of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), have demanded that Mesic apologise to Split residents, whom he, they claim, called "fascists". Racan reiterated that a possible government reshuffle would be discussed only after local elections, which are scheduled for May 20. Since the government is not participating in the election campaign for local elections and does not want to be accused of doing so, it will wait for some time to present some important programmes, Racan said. These programmes concern employment, the prevention of grey economy, the stimulation of small businesses, a development strategy, etc., he added. (hina) sb rml