OPPOSITION LEADER SLAMS GOVERNMENT'S NATIONAL SECURITY POLICY

DUBROVNIK, Sept 13 (Hina) - The president of the strongest opposition party, the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), has criticised the government's policy, particularly the national security policy, due to personnel cuts in the army and police. Talking to reporters in the southern seaport of Dubrovnik, Ivo Sanader once again extended condolences to the people of the United States, stressing he was doing so "from the town that also suffered savage terrorist attacks." Criticising the government, Sanader reminded a year had passed since the Croatian Intelligence Service (HIS) was dissolved and 35 ambassadors recalled without being replaced. "This is the disgraceful balance of this government when it comes to national security," he said. Sanader also slammed the authorities' stance towards Bosnian Croats who he said were left to fend for themselves. Speaking of Croatia's economy, he said "Croats, by all indicators, live worse than before the January 3 (2000) parliamentary election." He concluded early parliamentary elections were possible. Sanader applauded HDZ's coalition with the ruling coalition's Social Liberals (HSLS) in Zadar County, and called on the residents of Dubrovnik to vote for HDZ and Dubravka Suica at a repeated election for the town council on Sunday. (hina) ha sb