URSH "SHOCKED" WITH EXPENSES FOR PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES

ZAGREB, Jan 10 (Hina) - The Association of Workers' Unions of Croatia (URSH) expressed "utter shock" with the fact that, according to announcements made by the nine presidential candidates, every one of them would spend a million kuna (about US$130,000) during the presidential election campaign. The URSH called on presidential candidates to give up on expensive electoral projects, adding that free television appearances would be sufficient to present themselves to voters. The great expense for presidential candidates opens the question of the point of the investment, especially in the context of the difficult economic and social situation and the fact that at least seven million kuna (US$930,000) will be spent "to quench the vanities of presidential candidates, that it, for the financial covering of their ambitions," the URSH said in a statement, signed by president Boris Kunst, Monday. To spend so much money is an amoral act by most candidates who have no chance of becoming president, Kunst said. Besides, these candidates are thus contradicting their advocating a rational economy and leaning of blood, sweat and tears instead of speculation and agreement economy of the HDZ (Croatian democratic Union ) type, the statement said. (hina) lml