KAJIN: IDS' RETURN TO GOVT IMPOSSIBLE

RIJEKA, Aug 21 (Hina) - A vice-president of the Istrian Democratic Assembly (IDS), Damir Kajin, firmly believes that, given the current atmosphere among party members, IDS' return to the current government is not possible. The IDS, which "was forced to leave the government as the whipping boy," will remain part of the Opposition, but it will not represent rigid views in parliament because it understands the situation the country is in, Kajin said. We will support the government and its measures which concern national goals and are in line with our political orientation, but we will criticise irrational decisions, Kajin said. "The party's current position does not mean that it has closed the door to any cooperation with its former coalition partners - quite the contrary, it is possible we will form authority together after the next parliamentary election," the senior IDS official said. The government's measures, which will result in the reduction of citizens' social rights, will directly affect about a million citizens, he said. At least two to three million kuna will be lacking in the state budget next year, because the GDP growth rate of only four percent cannot cover the loss of privatisation revenues and funds which will be reallocated in the reform of the pension system. To prevent apathy and resignation among the citizens whose social rights will be reduced, the government should make it clear what the next and all subsequent years will bring. It must not fool anyone and it must take over responsibility for its promises, Kajin said. (hina) rml