CRO. PREMIER RACAN ANNOUNCES MEETING WITH ARCHBISHOP BOZANIC

ZAGREB, Dec 10 (Hina) - Croatian Premier Ivica Racan said at a regular monthly press conference Monday he would meet the archbishop of Zagreb, Josip Bozanic, and the Croatian Bishops' Conference (HBK) representatives Tuesday. Racan spoke about a range of topical issues. He said he expected, from a meeting with HBK representatives headed by Bozanic, that both sides contribute to a dialogue and tolerance in public life. He reiterated his regret about some harsh words in the government's reaction to a statement made by bishops on the social situation, but he also added there were people in the Church who believed the bishops' statement also was harsh. Racan said the government was not satisfied with all the elements of the Ploce port agreement inherited by the former government. He added the government was trying to change a few things and make efforts to gain Bosnia-Herzegovina's understanding for a change of some elements of the agreement. Asked about requests by Serb refugees for the recognition of tenancy rights, that is, the right for the re-purchase of flats, Racan reminded that an institute of tenancy rights did not exist any longer in Croatian judiciary, and that it was possible at a time to re-purchase these flats. Those who have not done so, no longer have right to do so, said Racan, and added that people of various nationalities, including Croats, have not used this right. Racan as well reminded that the tenancy right was replaced by an institute of protected rent. The law on areas of state concern enables citizens who have lived in such flats for ten years, to re- purchase them under conditions similar to those under which flats under tenancy rights had been repurchased. It is being considered that this institute starts operating in the entire state in accordance with its and material possibilities of local communities and in the interest of the return of refugees and displaced persons. Racan announced a complete solution to this problem would be reached soon. The premier expects that the parliament endorses the government's draft budget for 2002. He as well announced new measures in employment, and added the creation of a better bill on the protection and rights of national minorities was underway. Asked to comment on a request by the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) head, Ivo Sanader, that the government apologise for its offence at the account of the first Croatian president, Franjo Tudjman, Racan said "it seems that those who are looking for apology should apologise themselves". There are reasons, instead of apologising, for everybody to be more responsible in mutual communication, said Racan and added that those who are going out of Croatia and speak unacceptably about the Croatian authorities should also apologise. Racan expects that an agreement on a jointly-owned nuclear power plant Krsko be ratified in the Slovene parliament. He believes that the current stalemate in solving border issues with Slovenia would not prevent them from solving others. The prime minister confirmed that a visit of the Yugoslav Foreign Minister to Croatia was being prepared, and that Croatia expected the visit to further contribute to the normalisation of relations with Yugoslavia. Racan, however, could not say whether the visit will be accomplished by the end of 2001. (hina) np sb