PAVLETIC FORMALLY HANDS OVER AUTHORITY TO NEWLY-ELECTED TOMCIC

ZAGREB, Feb 2 (Hina) - Croatia's former parliament president and acting head of state Vlatko Pavletic on Wednesday formally handed over his office to the newly-elected president of parliament and its House of Representatives, Zlatko Tomcic. The Lower House earlier today unanimously elected Tomcic its president. I hand over to Tomcic a two-fold duty, that of president of the Lower House and parliament, and that of acting head of state, said Pavletic. He presented Tomcic with keys, "one pair which opens every door" (in the presidential cabinet), and the keys to a safe containing statements on representatives' assets. I hand over duty to my successor with complete trust, because in him I see a man who will pursue work in parliament based on the experience we gained together, Pavletic said. The newly-elected Tomcic thanked Pavletic on the exceptionally correct procedure of authority and duty hand-over. I respectfully accept both duties, it is a great honour, as well as an obligation, to be president of parliament and acting head of state, he said. Tomcic voiced hope Croatia's February 7 presidential run-off would end successfully, and that he would hand over one of his current duties to Croatia's second president elected by the people. His first step in his new office will be to survey the situation. Tomcic said he was sure parliament's Rule Book would soon be redesigned to enable more dynamic and effective parliament work. He thanked all MPs who took part in talks on the distribution of duties in the representative and executive authority. He believes everything the coalition which won last month's parliamentary elections agreed on will be implemented successfully, and that we will soon have the opportunity to be able to say that Croatia will exit the economic, democratic, social, and foreign policy crisis. (hina) ha