ZAGREB, March 29 (Hina) - Should requests on annulling presidential powers continue, citizens will decide, in a referendum, whether they want those powers to be cancelled or reduced, President Stipe Mesic said on Croatian Television
(HTV) on Tuesday night. Mesic said he was being informed about requests regarding the cancellation of presidential powers, reminding that it was the reduction rather than cancellation of presidential powers that had been mentioned during the electoral campaign. "However, some people have misunderstood their position, believing that the problem lies in presidential powers and that they should be cancelled." According to Mesic, attempts to annul presidential powers come from "those who are dissatisfied with the elected president and who want to solve the problem that way." Should such requests continue, Mesic believes a referendum should be offered to citizens, who will then deci
ZAGREB, March 29 (Hina) - Should requests on annulling presidential
powers continue, citizens will decide, in a referendum, whether
they want those powers to be cancelled or reduced, President Stipe
Mesic said on Croatian Television (HTV) on Tuesday night.
Mesic said he was being informed about requests regarding the
cancellation of presidential powers, reminding that it was the
reduction rather than cancellation of presidential powers that had
been mentioned during the electoral campaign. "However, some
people have misunderstood their position, believing that the
problem lies in presidential powers and that they should be
cancelled."
According to Mesic, attempts to annul presidential powers come from
"those who are dissatisfied with the elected president and who want
to solve the problem that way." Should such requests continue,
Mesic believes a referendum should be offered to citizens, who will
then decide whether they want the President to be stripped of all
powers or that his powers be limited.
Speaking about the work of Prime Minister Ivica Racan's cabinet so
far, Mesic said the Prime Minister was faced with a very difficult
situation and numerous problems which had to be resolved.
"A budget has been adopted with which many are dissatisfied because
they expected more funds, and one had to be able to endure all that
and adopt a balanced budget," Mesic said.
"Some did not understand that the electoral campaign is over and
that everybody has taken over their responsibilities, because some
ministers continue to communicate with the President through the
media," Mesic said. He added that one parliament vice-president,
whom he did not want to name, was persistent "in this unusual kind of
communication, which bordered on poor taste."
Mesic reiterated that he would not move to the residence in
Grskoviceva Street, which he described as a "notorious brothel" in
which he and his family did not want to live.
He added the reason why he was moving from his apartment in Ilica
Street was not comfort but security.
Assessing that the Croatian National Bank's (HNB) decision on
blocking the Istarska Bank account was in line with the law and
HNB's powers, Mesic said problems in the Istarska Bank were the
result of a wrong policy.
Commenting on the statement by Istrian Democratic Assembly (IDS)
president Ivan Jakovcic on the autonomy of Istria, Mesic said he did
not agree with autonomy being suggested over one case (the blockade
of the Istarska Bank account). "I do support the de-centralisation
of authority and funds, however, this is not only the problem of
Istria but of the whole country," he added.
(hina) mm rml