EVERYONE IN CROATIA CAN LIVE BETTER -- MESIC

KARLOVAC, Jan 21 (Hina) - Stipe Mesic, the presidential candidate of the Croatian People's Party (HNS), Liberal Party (LS), Croatian Peasants' party (HSS), the Istrian Democratic Assembly (IDS) and the Action of Croatian Social-Democrats (ASH) told an electoral rally in Karlovac Friday he was not for vindication, but crime must be punished. We should try to aim for everyone in Croatia to live better and we must realise this. This is under the condition that the law-based state is functioning, that the mafia in the transfer of ownership, war profiteers and thieves are processed, that individuals who violated crimes are punished without vindication, Mesic said. He cited as the HDZ's (Croatian Democratic Union) biggest mistakes the policy towards Bosnia-Herzegovina, stressing it was a policy of agreement with (Yugoslav President) Milosevic about the division of this country, and the privatisation process. The people, he said, was frightened by foreign and domestic enemies, from Europeans and entering into Europe which brought no freedom and independence. He said that expenses of the "luxurious state administration" must be reduced and that conscription should be lessened to three or four months. (hina) lml mm