MESIC ADDRESSES ELECTORAL RALLY IN DUBROVNIK

DUBROVNIK, Jan 14 (Hina) - Addressing a pre-election rally in Dubrovnik on Friday, Stipe Mesic, presidential candidate nominated by the 'Opposition Four' coalition, said in autumn 1991 he had headed a convoy which broke the blockade of the city and was visiting Dubrovnik today with the wish for Croatia to end its isolation. Mesic said that the formerly ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) had turned into an interest community which allowed the plundering of state-owned property and the accumulation of wealth by 200 families. "The authorities, which allowed the plundering of their own people, threatened the same people with dangers coming from Europe," Mesic said. This must not happen any more because Croatia has no inside enemies but only people who think differently about different matters, he said. Mesic pointed to the need to revise ownership transformation, build a civil society and significantly reduce presidential powers. The 'Opposition Four' coalition includes the Istrian Democratic Assembly (IDS), Liberal Party (LS), Croatian Peasants' Party (HSS), and the Action of Social Democrats of Croatia (ASH). (hina) rml