MESIC SUPPORTS INVESTIGATION INTO FINANCING OF ALL CAMPAIGNS

ZAGREB, Jan 31 (Hina) - Presidential candidate Stipe Mesic, who was nominated by the Croatian People's Party (HNS) and is supported by the Croatian Peasants' Party (HSS), Liberal Party (LS), Istrian Democratic Assembly (IDS) and the Action of Social Democrats of Croatia (ASH), on Monday said one should investigate the financing of all presidential campaigns held so far, including the campaigns of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) and Drazen Budisa's presidential campaign of 1992. Addressing reporters at a news conference in Zagreb, Mesic expressed doubt regarding Diners' donations for Budisa's presidential campaign. "Given that Diners covers Yugoslavia as well, one should investigate whether he is possibly financed from Yugoslavia as well and whether Diners shareholders and companies cooperating with Diners have agreed to finance his campaign," Mesic said. Speaking about the financing of his own campaign, Mesic said the financing would be transparent, adding the auditing would start tomorrow. Should there be irregularities regarding a donation by Klariko Voce company, Mesic said his election headquarters would return the donation, and should it prove regular, the headquarters would give the money for humanitarian purposes. HNS president Radimir Cacic told reporters the coalition of four parties expected Mesic to win the elections. HSS president Zlatko Tomcic recalled that the victorious coalition had won the parliamentary majority and constituted the government together, adding the President of the State would be elected from among the coalition. The results achieved by the coalition of six so far should not be jeopardised, he added. LS president Vlado Gotovac believes that only politically ignorant people can state that Mesic is dangerous and claim that he wants to revive populism. Mesic was also supported by IDS president Ivan Jakovcic who believes Mesic is a person with whom one can build a modern European state. ASH president Silvije Degen agreed with this assessment. Asked whether they agreed with Mesic's statement that he did not have any obligations toward the parties which nominated him but only toward citizens, Cacic said Mesic was nominated on the basis of the programme of the coalition of four parties and in line with guidelines of the coalition of six parties. After he is elected president, Mesic will have obligations only toward citizens and his own conscience, Cacic added. (hina) rml