MESIC MAKES PUBLIC COSTS OF HIS PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN

ZAGREB, Jan 21 (Hina) - Stipe Mesic, the candidate of the Croatian People's Party (HNS) for Croatia's coming presidential election, who is also supported by parties - LS (Liberal Party), HSS (Croatian People's Party), IDS (Istrian Democratic Alliance), ASH (Action of Social Democrats of Croatia) - on Friday said his pre-election campaign was "one of the cheapest." All members of the electoral headquarters are working only voluntarily, including those who are making TV promotional videos and other promotional material, Mesic told a news conference in Zagreb. According to him, he enjoys support of "his friends and those who believe in him," and he intends to return most of money after he receives 500,000 kuna (about 66,000 US dollars) from the Government. Asked who financed Mesic's campaign and how much it cost, a spokeswoman for his headquarters, Vjera Suman, said "costs at the moment are some 1.3 million kuna (approximately 173,000 dollars), and complete figures will be announced after the end of the campaign." She asserted it was only Mesic's electoral headquarters to have announced costs of the campaign so far. Biggest items of expenditure refer to the campaign on the Croatian Television and by 22 January it is to total 420,000 kuna (56,000 dollars). According to Suman it is less than television costs of candidate of the SDP-HSLS coalition (his costs on the HTV are 800,000 kuna, she said) and the candidate of the HDZ (530,000 kuna). Mesic reiterated he was "against authoritarian way of ruling" and in case of electoral victory he would not abuse office. (hina) mm ms