CRO GOVT CRITICISES ITS MINISTER, MINISTER APOLOGISES

ZAGREB, March 30 (Hina) - "At this moment I don't see conflicts between the Government, the parliament and the President of the state. I only see differences in opinions on what must be done in order to ensure parliamentary democracy", Croatian Prime Minister Ivica Racan said at Thursday's session of the Croatian Government. The Government harshly criticised Croatian Minister for European Integration Ivan Jakovcic, his attitude towards the Government and behaviour on the occasion of events in the Istarska Bank. His self-critical statement, an apology at the session, and readiness to continue to work in the Government, was assessed positively. The Government cannot accept demands of the Istrian Democratic Assembly in line with which Jakovcic should remain in the Government in order to represent Istria County. Prime Minister Racan, however, stressed that Jakovcic could be a successful minister for European integration only if he represented interests of the entire Croatia. The Government also concluded that the Croatian banking system was not jeopardised, and that its stabilisation would continue. The Government objected the attempts to contest the independence of certain institutions, such as the Croatian National Bank. We advocate independence as well as the responsibility of certain institutions, Racan stressed. The Prime Minister harshly criticised Jakovcic's statements on the occasion of crisis in the Istarska Bank, particularly his politicisation of the issue. It is extremely worrying that the Government was forced to face irresponsible politicisation, unacceptable critique and attacks on the Government on the occasion of a difficult situation in a bank. Racan stressed that events in the Istarska Bank negatively reflected outside Croatia as well, and as an example, Racan pointed to the fact that Croatian bonds lost on their value. He also pointed to unacceptable blackmails, "Jakovcic's hasty threats that he would leave the Government unless something is done quickly". The Prime Minister also pointed to unacceptable threats that Istria would become an autonomy unless the Government did something. Racan told Jakovcic that he could not be sitting on two chairs - to support the policy in general, and attack the Government when its policy is not in line with individual political interests. Jakovcic apologised about the statement, and on behalf of the Istrian Democratic Assembly, he disassociated himself from statements of his colleague from the IDS, Damir Krajina, who compared the current Government with the former Croatian Democratic Union Government. I am not denying that I said words that were too harsh, Jakovcic confessed, and denied accusations that the Government was facing crisis. I would like to continue my job, and I don't wish to leave the Government, the Minister stressed. Racan pointed to the Government's awareness that planned changes would not take place soon and would not happen easily and without conflicts. The changes should, among other things, enable political and economic development, the end of crisis, cooperation with the world, change of the presidential system into a parliamentary democracy. Croatian Minister for Public Works Radimir Cacic proposed that it should be established by a conclusion that no one had the right to speak of the Government as of his own good without a Government's decision. The Government adopted the suggestion of Economy Minister Goranko Fizulic to analyse its work so far. (hina) it jn