PREMIER GRANTS INTERVIEW TO CATHOLIC WEEKLY

ZAGREB, April 4 (Hina) - This government wants to help Croatia overcome the deep economic and social crisis which is not and cannot be its destiny, Premier Ivica Racan said in a interview to Catholic weekly "Glas Koncila". "We want to overcome (the crisis) quickly, and that is not possible without sacrifices. Quickly, in about two to three years, we want to reach a stage of all-round development, which includes better solutions for social issues," Racan told the weekly's April 9 issue.#L# The premier said he was not addressing the difficult economic situation to accuse the previous government, but because people had to know. "Those re-investing their earnings must now, within a month and a half, by law be completely relieved of taxes, so that we may stimulate both domestic resources and foreign capital to open new jobs," Racan said, pointing out that companies without prospects must be shut down and people helped find work elsewhere. "We don't seek billions from the world as assistance, but to finance good development projects," the premier said, adding his government was "against speculative capital, domestic and foreign, which rocked Croatia until yesterday, which drew out only profits, which bought to spend, not protecting companies and jobs." Speaking about the effects of the establishment of the rule-of-law, the premier said "there are problems in that, there is opportunism, and even those who would continue covering up foul dealings. It will take time to effect the necessary changes. I am not satisfied with the speed and effects the rule-of-law has had thus far." Commenting on opinions that Croatia's new authorities would not sufficiently appreciate and nurture a healthy patriotism, Racan said present Croatia was not using arrogance, quarrels with the world, isolation, the army, police, and an inflexible face to defend itself. "Today Croatia defends itself and promotes national interests through co-operation and dialogue with the world, by fighting for its interest through dialogue and co-operation, by wishing to as soon as possible have an equal seat at the table where decisions on Europe, and Croatia, are made. Today we are using a smile and tolerance to fight for Croatia's interests," said the premier. The government wants to defend the common struggle for independence as an enormous national attainment, and the Homeland War and the "Storm" and "Flash" liberation operations as values, he said. "The greatness of the Homeland War demands that we show strength, that in the name of that homeland struggle and its greatness we may be able to say 'No, this crime is against that struggle!' We must not justify it with the (homeland) struggle, unless we want to bring the homeland struggle into question, which was frequently done." "Let us just recall the side-tracks of the national policy towards Bosnia-Herzegovina. It cost us a lot. Today it is clear and we can prove that a lot of what should not have happened did happen." Racan said the government wanted to contribute to the implementation of a Croatia-Holy See agreement. "In this we also see our responsibility to protect the citizen's right to religious orientation which nothing must endanger. In this spirit, I invite you to be critical in following what we do," he asserted. Racan confirmed Croatia's new authorities would nurture good relations with the Holy See. "This government too is aware of how much the Holy See contributed to Croatia's and the Croatian people's struggle for independence." "This government too wants a good relationship with the Holy See. This is especially easy to say at a time when the turn of the century and the millennium is marked by such a moral greatness as the Holy Father, John Paul II," the premier said. Asked how he sees the role of the Catholic Church in the modern Croatian state, Racan said he was aware of what the Church can and politics cannot do. "It is of outstanding importance that the Church along that line continue making its contribution, that it be a moral judge, but not a political arbiter." Racan said he was optimistic about the possibility of the Church's making public statements on important social, legislative, and ethical issues. "I want to be resolute. I think a more universal, more substantial, richer and more democratic life for this people and state absolutely envisages (the above mentioned) possibility and a more active role on the Church's part. In this, the Church of course must be tolerant in the positions it thus puts forward," the premier said. (hina) ha mm