GRANIC:I'LL BE ORDINARY PRESIDENT WHO WILL TALK WITH CITIZENS

RIJEKA, Jan 19 (Hina) - Mate Granic, the candidate of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) for Croatia's presidential election, told a rally in Rijeka on Wednesday evening that he stood for this office as he believed he would win and as he had a vision of Croatia for the 21st century. "I have not been involved in the (ownership) transformation, have not been granted managerial loans nor have I changed four parties," Granic said. The credibility of his candidature was accentuated by the fact that "in recent years he has successfully dealt with serious state issues and that before entering politics he achieved an excellent professional career," Granic told the gathered. Should I be elected as Croatia's President, I shall be an ordinary, simple President, I shall talk with citizens and listened to what they say about their worries. Ceremonies related to this office will be reduced to the lowest possible level and costs of the President's Office, which will not be a parallel government, will be cut as well. I shall spend summer holidays in my birth place, Granic promised. He said he would advocate the consistent tripartite division of authorities. On Wednesday Granic was received by Rijeka Mayor Slavko Linic. The HDZ candidate presented his programme in Opatija, Crikvenica and other towns in the Rijeka area. (hina) ms