ZAGREB, Feb 21 (Hina) - Croatian President Stipe Mesic at Monday's press conference in Zagreb presented six of his associates whom he appointed to duties in his office. The appointments mark the beginning of the organisation of the
new Office of the President of the Republic, whose "authorities will be reduced to real frameworks and authorities which the president of the republic will have," said Mesic. The president emphasised his closest associates were competent people. He said he co-operated with Lt. Gen. Imra Agotic, appointed adviser on defence and military issues, during Croatia's Homeland War. Economy adviser Stjepan Zdunic was a member of Mesic's government in 1990, while Stanko Nick, appointed adviser on foreign affairs, has been a Mesic associate since university, the president said. Mesic's chief-of-staff Damir Vargek, and his adviser on national security and the head of the Office for Natio
ZAGREB, Feb 21 (Hina) - Croatian President Stipe Mesic at Monday's
press conference in Zagreb presented six of his associates whom he
appointed to duties in his office.
The appointments mark the beginning of the organisation of the new
Office of the President of the Republic, whose "authorities will be
reduced to real frameworks and authorities which the president of
the republic will have," said Mesic.
The president emphasised his closest associates were competent
people. He said he co-operated with Lt. Gen. Imra Agotic, appointed
adviser on defence and military issues, during Croatia's Homeland
War. Economy adviser Stjepan Zdunic was a member of Mesic's
government in 1990, while Stanko Nick, appointed adviser on foreign
affairs, has been a Mesic associate since university, the president
said.
Mesic's chief-of-staff Damir Vargek, and his adviser on national
security and the head of the Office for National Security, Tomislav
Karamarko, led Mesic's recent presidential campaign, while the
head of Mesic's Public Relations Office, Vjera Suman, the president
said, comes from the media.
Karamarko said his first steps would depend on an analysis of the
encountered state of affairs. He announced security services would
be freed of politics to prevent them from ever again being in the
service of one party or person. Security services will work
professionally and in line with the law, he stressed, adding he
would ask President Mesic's consent in taking his steps.
Mesic's adviser on foreign affairs believes good coordination and
assistance to the president in performing his constitutional
duties are important in his work.
Lt. Gen. Agotic announced he would work on creating a Croatian
defence system which a modern country requires. Mesic's public
relations officer Suman said the president would hold press
conferences according to necessity.
Speaking about the future work of the President's Office, Mesic
said meetings with citizens would be held once a week. Plans also
include the demystification of the decision-making premises, he
said, reiterating he would most like to perform his duty at Banski
Dvori, a building in Zagreb's historical centre which is also the
government's headquarters.
Answering questions about his official visits abroad, Mesic said
there existed several invitations, but that it was difficult to say
which would be accepted first. He will travel flying regular
flights whenever possible.
Asked about state officials' salaries and commenting on media
allegations that officials' salaries had not been reduced in the
announced amounts, President Mesic said, "voters have not been
cheated, and it is not good to exaggerate.
(hina) ha jn