MATESA AND RACAN CONTINUE TALKS ON TRANSFER OF AUTHORITY

ZAGREB, Jan 14 (Hina) - Croatia's incumbent and future premiers, Zlatko Matesa and Ivica Racan respectively, continued talks on the transfer of authority on Friday. Everything is being done for the state to continue functioning normally also during the transfer of authority, Matesa said after almost three hours of talks. "It is very important to avoid vacuum which would bee detrimental to performing state duties," said Racan. Today's meeting was also attended by the acting head of the Croatian Social Liberal Party (HSLS), Goran Granic, who is standing in for Drazen Budisa during his presidential campaign. Racan said he and Granic insisted that the outgoing government in no case undertook new commitments both in terms of finances or personnel. "That is the minimum of a fair-play and I believe the Premier will honour it," Racan said. Granic said this request also referred to state-owned companies. "Our message is very clear - gentlemen, we invite all of you to cooperate, perform your regular duties, and leave strategic questions to the new government," he said. The new government, Racan said, will operate in keeping with the importance of the economic and social situation and in line with the wish for Croatia to speed up its admission to the European Union. He added the new government would make decisions by majority, without consensus or the right to veto. Today's meeting was the second meeting on the transfer of authority held between Racan and Granic and Matesa. It has been announced that talks will continue. (hina) mm rml