TOMCIC: STRUGGLE FOR DEMOCRATIC PROSPEROUS CROATIA IS DEMANDING

ZAGREB, May 30 (Hina) - The struggle for a multiparty, democratic and prosperous Croatia is not less demanding than the battle waged for the creation of the independent Croatia, Sabor Speaker Zlatko Tomcic said in a speech he delivered in the national parliament on the occasion of Statehood Day (May 30).#L# Tomcic pointed out the commitment to building a modern, democratic and European-oriented Croatia to the benefit of all of its citizens. Statehood Day and all who gave their lives for this holiday oblige us to see that only such a Croatia can make a case for all unselfish efforts and sacrifices, the parliament's head added. Tomcic described the Homeland Defence War as the foundations of Croatia's statehood and expressed his sympathy to families whose members died in the war. He told war veterans that their credit and rights were unquestionable but all should invest joint efforts in building a stable and prosperous Croatia where their rights could fully be exercised. Sabor Speaker commented on achievements this young independent state had made in the last decade. He reiterated his homeland's aspiration to admission into EuroAtlantic structures, and its wish to be a stability factor in this volatile region, but without accepting any imposed association. He reminded that Zagreb and the European Union had recently initialled a Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) in which Croatia secured the individual assessment of its efforts to adopt western European standards. He cautioned that the path toward the EU would be neither speedy nor easy. Considering the economy, Tomcic said the implementation of every recognisable entrepreneurial idea should be encouraged and the potential of small and medium-sized businesses used. Tomcic announced that the government would soon present a strategy for the development of Croatia and plans for reviving the struggling economy. One of very responsible tasks in this field will be the continuation of privatisation. The recovery of the economy should facilitate bids to cut the public spending and costs of state administration. We should learn that we can spend as much as we earn, he said. Speaking about effects of the recent changes of the Constitution, he said the abandonment of the semi-presidential system and the introduction of the parliamentary one returned the original power to the Croatian parliament and consequently to the government. However, only the harmonious work of all branches of power will help make desirable results, he added. Tomcic cautiously opened up a possibility that the incumbent unicameral parliament may again become bicameral. There is a possibility that in the future, when we accomplish the economic progress, a need occur for introducing a house (of parliament) for stronger regions, he said. Commenting on the recent local elections, Tomcic said all the constructive forces should continue building the homeland. He warned that a low turnover should be viewed as a message and politicians should do more to remove reasons for abstention of voters because "it can be very difficult to us, it can sometimes be easy, but it must not be all the same to us." Present at the ceremonial session in the Sabor were President Stjepan Mesic, Premier Ivica Racan, other senior officials, religious dignitaries, foreign diplomats, eminent scientists and other public figures. At the very beginning of the session MPs and guests in the Sabor hall observed a minute of silence paying tribute to all who gave their lives for Croatia and to the first Croatian President Franjo Tudjman. On this day 11 years ago, Croatia got its first multiparty parliament, after a half-century-long rule of the Communists. The day of the constitution of the first multiparty Sabor has been celebrated as Statehood Day since 1991. (hina) ms