INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE LETICA HOLDS RALLY IN RIJEKA

RIJEKA, Jan 17 (Hina) - An independent candidate for the coming Croatian presidential election, Slaven Letica, on Monday advocated the introduction of the parliamentary system with the directly elected President. During his pre-election rally in the seaport of Rijeka, Letica also advocated the annulment of the illegal cases of privatisation as well as the punishment of culprits. He said he was in favour of the rapid inclusion of Croatia in European integration and development projects. Letica described Croatia's former policy toward Bosnia- Herzegovina as unacceptable and suggested the revision of the Dayton accords. He said the agreement had helped stop the armed conflict but failed to ensure the lasting peace and stability. He added that it must be guaranteed that all three peoples (Croats, Moslems and Serbs) be constituent in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Letica asserted that at the coming presidential poll (scheduled for 24 January) voters would again vote against, as they did so at the recent parliamentary election, explaining they would search the opposition to what the former President had been. He predicted the future President would face a difficult task, as, according to him, the coalitions that won the parliamentary vote would soon encounter great difficulties and come into conflict. Letica forecast that within six next months instability and clashes would occur in the Sabor and the only adequate counterbalance could be an independent President. He claimed that his advantages over other candidates for this post are his excellent knowledge of economics and experience in world integration processes. (hina) ms