GRANIC CALLS ON VOTERS, HDZ MEMBERS TO VOTE FOR HIM

ZAGREB, Jan 14 (Hina) - "After an excellent reception by party members and the whole Croatian public, and due to a false and inadequate interpretation of my decision to give up my membership in the Presidency and all duties in the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), I want to state that with this act I have clearly distanced myself from all negative events in the party leadership," HDZ presidential candidate Mate Granic said in a statement on Friday. Granic reiterated that he would remain a member of the HDZ, the party to which most credit should go for the creation of modern Croatian state, and that he was not inclined toward changing parties or beliefs. "In this way, I want to send a message, especially to the party membership, from whom I am receiving wide support every day, that my presidential programme is based on the original principles of the party and on Croatia's needs in the 21st century," read the statement issued by Granic's electoral headquarters. "Once I am elected president, which I strongly believe in, I will cease being a party member, not giving up my stands and my view of life. With my authority, as is usual in the world, I will continue to influence the party's development in the direction of a popular and European-oriented party of Christian Democrats. When my mandate as the President of the Republic ends, I will again join in the party life," Granic said, calling on voters, especially HDZ members, to vote for him in the upcoming presidential election. (hina) rml