ZAGREB, April 1 (Hina) - Croatian Premier Ivica Racan on Friday voiced dissatisfaction with the process of media democratisation, and Croatian Radio-Television (HRT) in particular. Making a guest appearance at "Motrista", Croatian
Television's (HTV) late evening news broadcast, Racan commented on a HRT Council session which adopted new HRT director Mirko Galic's work programme, but turned down a request to replace HTV editor-in-chief Obrad Kosovac. "It is Croatia's interest, and I believe of HTV's professional part as well, to carry out the transformation of the (HTV) into a public medium as soon and as good as possible," the premier said. Racan also spoke about attacks on government measures, and burning issues in the banking sector. Obstacles in the realisation of changes the government aspires to as a rule come from those who lose in the process, he asserted. "This refers to those who liv
ZAGREB, April 1 (Hina) - Croatian Premier Ivica Racan on Friday
voiced dissatisfaction with the process of media democratisation,
and Croatian Radio-Television (HRT) in particular.
Making a guest appearance at "Motrista", Croatian Television's
(HTV) late evening news broadcast, Racan commented on a HRT Council
session which adopted new HRT director Mirko Galic's work
programme, but turned down a request to replace HTV editor-in-chief
Obrad Kosovac.
"It is Croatia's interest, and I believe of HTV's professional part
as well, to carry out the transformation of the (HTV) into a public
medium as soon and as good as possible," the premier said.
Racan also spoke about attacks on government measures, and burning
issues in the banking sector.
Obstacles in the realisation of changes the government aspires to
as a rule come from those who lose in the process, he asserted. "This
refers to those who lived well and had it good under the past
policy," he said.
According to Racan, the problem also lies in the mentality of "those
who learned that the government takes excessively from the economy
and decides whom to give to."
"People still come to the government expecting to be given money
regardless of whether they deserve it or not," Racan said, adding
his government must use taxpayers' money for development projects
and new jobs, and not "throw it into a bottomless well."
Because of the citizens' encouraging support, the government has no
right to give up in the face of problems and opposition to changes,
the premier said.
"The measures we are taking are painful and everybody knows it. We,
however, support them, because we know they are a condition for
success in the future," he asserted, adding "opposition doesn't
impress me much or scare me."
The premier said he was satisfied with the results of a regional
funding conference the Stability Pact for Southeast Europe held in
Brussels earlier this week.
Addressing the problems in Croatia's banking sector, and in
Istarska Bank in particular, Racan said the government would
protect depositors' savings accounts and interests. He promised to
everything to help the bank "stand back on its feet." But, he added,
it will not be done in the way banks were rehabilitated in the past.
"I believe we shall find a solution," Racan said.
He expects "bodies of authority in Istria County will show a higher
degree of responsibility and assist in solving problems, and not
damage both Istria and Croatia by unnecessarily politicising and
straining Istria-Zagreb relations. We expect them to be
responsible, and a solution will be easier to find," Croatia's
premier said in "Motrista".
(hina) ha jn