ZAGREB, March 27 (Hina) - The Istrian Democratic Alliance's President and Croatia's European Integration Minister Ivan Jakovcic on Monday held talks with Croatia's Premier Stjepan Mesic and Sabor President Zlatko Tomcic on problems
caused by the Istrian Bank's blockade. President Mesic voiced great concern over the latest developments, Jakovcic said adding that he told Tomcic that the IDS bench in the national parliament would initiate a procedure for replacement of the incumbent Governor of the Croatian National Bank, Marko Skreb. At a meeting of the co-ordination of the ruling six parties, scheduled for Monday evening, Jakovcic, as a representative of the IDS, will expound his stand on a settlement of this difficult situation in the Istrian Bank. Emphasising that the Istrian bank should not have been blocked so suddenly, Jakovcic said minimum means could have been sufficient to save millions of kun
ZAGREB, March 27 (Hina) - The Istrian Democratic Alliance's
President and Croatia's European Integration Minister Ivan
Jakovcic on Monday held talks with Croatia's Premier Stjepan Mesic
and Sabor President Zlatko Tomcic on problems caused by the Istrian
Bank's blockade.
President Mesic voiced great concern over the latest developments,
Jakovcic said adding that he told Tomcic that the IDS bench in the
national parliament would initiate a procedure for replacement of
the incumbent Governor of the Croatian National Bank, Marko Skreb.
At a meeting of the co-ordination of the ruling six parties,
scheduled for Monday evening, Jakovcic, as a representative of the
IDS, will expound his stand on a settlement of this difficult
situation in the Istrian Bank.
Emphasising that the Istrian bank should not have been blocked so
suddenly, Jakovcic said minimum means could have been sufficient to
save millions of kuna deposited with the bank. On the other hand,
now huge sums would be needed from the state budget for this
purpose, he added.
"It is really insensible and extremely uneconomical," Jakovcic
said.
Jakovcic added that he had notified Croatian National Bank (HNB)
Governor Marko Skreb, Premier Ivica Racan and other government
officials that there were many interested parties for whom the
Istrian Bank is very attractive and other banks would like to invest
in this one.
"It would be a strong and successful bank even if the Government
does not help it with one kuna but if it only ensures the respect of
law," he stressed.
On March 22, the central bank's Council made a decision on
appointing a temporary administrator for the Istrian Bank, after
the supervision of the bank's activities established that
potential losses were greater than the liable capital.
Last Friday, following the pressure and rush of customers who
wanted to take back money from their accounts, the temporary
administrator, Boris Busac, made a decision on the cessation of the
payment of all savings deposits from clients' accounts in next
three months.
The Istrian Chamber of Commerce on Monday insisted that the HNB, the
Government and the Sabor should reconsider Busac's decision. The
Chamber asked for a loan from the HNB means or from the budget to
help the Istrian Bank to pay money to clients who ask for it.
(hina) jn ms