BRUSSELS/ZAGREB, Feb 14 (Hina) - Commenting on contradictory statements given to the Croatian press on Monday regarding the appointment of the new head of the Croatian intelligence service (HIS), Premier Ivica Racan said in Brussels
this evening he did not know that a decision on that matter had been made, but he did not believe it would be made while he was away. "First, I don't know anything about the decision on who will be heading the HIS being made and I don't believe it has been made. At least, I would have been informed about it," Racan told a group of Croatian reporters when asked to comment on the alleged appointment of Miroslav Separovic as HIS director following last week's resignation of Miroslav Tudjman. Racan added he hoped he could "dismiss speculations about an agreement being reached while I am here (Brussels). I have no such information so far, otherwise I would certainly express m
BRUSSELS/ZAGREB, Feb 14 (Hina) - Commenting on contradictory
statements given to the Croatian press on Monday regarding the
appointment of the new head of the Croatian intelligence service
(HIS), Premier Ivica Racan said in Brussels this evening he did not
know that a decision on that matter had been made, but he did not
believe it would be made while he was away.
"First, I don't know anything about the decision on who will be
heading the HIS being made and I don't believe it has been made. At
least, I would have been informed about it," Racan told a group of
Croatian reporters when asked to comment on the alleged appointment
of Miroslav Separovic as HIS director following last week's
resignation of Miroslav Tudjman.
Racan added he hoped he could "dismiss speculations about an
agreement being reached while I am here (Brussels). I have no such
information so far, otherwise I would certainly express my
concern," he said.
The Premier confirmed that talks were being held on possible
candidates, however the final decision had not been made yet.
He assessed that Separovic's "conduct when he no longer could
accept deformations (at the HIS) was positive." However, "this is
not enough for someone to become the new director of the HIS."
"The person who takes over the office from Miroslav Tudjman will
enjoy the Government's support to the extent that he is willing to
carry out a thorough reorganisation of the intelligence community,
cope successfully with many deformations within that service, and
put it into the constitutional and legal framework of democratic
Croatia."
Racan also commented on today's conflicting statements by the
newly-elected Croatian President Stipe Mesic and Croatian National
Sabor President and Acting Head of State, Zlatko Tomcic.
Earlier in the day Mesic told reporters the chief candidate for the
post of HIS director had been agreed on, whereas Tomcic told
reporters this afternoon talks on the appointment of the HIS
director were still underway.
"If we can adopt an acceptable solution on that issue immediately,
then it is understandable that such a solution would be adopted by
the person holding the office of the President of the State.
Currently, that office is held by Sabor President Zlatko Tomcic.
There have been talks, informal ones certainly, with the future
President of the State Stipe Mesic as well," Racan confirmed.
In a statement for tomorrow's issue of 'Vecernji list' daily,
Miroslav Separovic confirmed that he had a short conversation over
the phone with Stjepan Mesic on Friday. "We spoke, however, I did
not accept anything, and I don't know whether I will accept it. I
don't think it would be good if I returned to the HIS. We only agreed
to talk again," Separovic told the daily.
(hina) rml