ZAGREB, March 31 (Hina) - Croatian Prime Minister Ivica Racan on Friday said he did not see any major problems or conflicts between himself, that is, the Government, and President of the Republic Stipe Mesic, but he added that there
were problems which had to solved along the way, and one had to cooperate more and better in that process. Speaking at a press conference, Racan said that he and President Mesic would, along with the others, continue cooperating regarding the concept of constitutional changes. Although the intention was not to hurry with constitutional changes, this issue will have to be slightly accelerated so that unnecessary problems could be avoided, he said. Racan said he strongly supported parliamentary democracy and reminded that the six-party coalition had pledged to parliamentary democracy before the elections. "We have agreed to sit down very soon and discuss the concept
ZAGREB, March 31 (Hina) - Croatian Prime Minister Ivica Racan on
Friday said he did not see any major problems or conflicts between
himself, that is, the Government, and President of the Republic
Stipe Mesic, but he added that there were problems which had to
solved along the way, and one had to cooperate more and better in
that process.
Speaking at a press conference, Racan said that he and President
Mesic would, along with the others, continue cooperating regarding
the concept of constitutional changes.
Although the intention was not to hurry with constitutional
changes, this issue will have to be slightly accelerated so that
unnecessary problems could be avoided, he said.
Racan said he strongly supported parliamentary democracy and
reminded that the six-party coalition had pledged to parliamentary
democracy before the elections. "We have agreed to sit down very
soon and discuss the concept of implementing constitutional
changes, which also includes a more precise definition of the
powers of the Presidents of the State, Sabor, and the Government,"
Racan said.
The Prime Minister said he did not support the equal division of
authority between the President, Parliament and the Government,
because that would mean a semi-presidential or semi-parliamentary
system.
Racan said it was not possible to speak about stripping the
President of the Republic of his powers neither at present nor once
constitutional changes are made. "The President cannot be stripped
of his powers nor has that been done in any model of parliamentary
democracy," he said. In some countries, such as Slovenia or Poland,
people would not dare say that they have "a protocol president or a
'ficus'", Racan said, alluding to the statement which Mesic
repeated over the past few days. Racan said he pleaded for "the
responsibility of words."
Asked whether the president of the state should appoint heads of
secret services, Racan said at the moment it was much more important
to him to set a clear concept of secret services and make it lawful.
This requires a new law on national security, which will secure
democratic control of secret services, parliamentary control.
To me, this is more important than the question of organisational
powers of the President of the Republic or, say, the Government, he
added.
The Prime Minister denied claims about the existence of some secret
draft laws. "Several days ago, a concept of reorganisation of
secret services, and bills on defence and service in the armed
forces were forwarded to the President of the Republic for
consideration," he said.
Racan said he would leave the question of protocol to President
Mesic. The protocol ceremony reminded him personally too much of
the times of President Tudjman, Racan said, adding he had suggested
to Mesic before his visit to Sarajevo to abandon the old protocol.
Speaking about media reports about the official residences for the
three highest state officials, Racan said Mesic had from the
beginning expressed a wish to have an official residence.
The government adopted a decision that the three officials should
have the right to an official residence and Mesic also agreed with
the decision on the building which was chosen as his residence,
Racan said, adding he agreed with the decision, but he himself did
not think for a moment to live in an official residence.
Asked about the possibility of a referendum on constitutional
changes, Racan said he hoped there would be no referendum. "I do not
believe that is the best form of a discussion about open problems,"
he added.
The Prime Minister learned about Croatian Television (HTV)
director general Mirko Galic returning his mandate to the Sabor
from reporters. Commenting on the case, he said that such a
situation demanded a more energetic answer which would be sought in
line with the law.
The Prime Minister confirmed that an offer by the Privredna Bank
Zagreb for the purchase of the Istarska Bank had arrived at noon
today in his cabinet, but he did not know whether some other offers
have arrived in the meantime.
Asked whether he would appoint a commissioner for Istria County
because of the announcement of Istria County officials that they
would declare the state of natural disaster in the county due to the
situation in the Istarska Bank, Racan said he would not go that far.
"The government will be responsible, I hope the Istria County
leadership will be responsible too," he added.
(hina) jn rml