ZAGREB, April 18 (Hina) - Prime Minister Ivica Racan told reporters on Tuesday evening that "the tape recordings of talks between late President Tudjman and his close associates point to the need for initiating certain investigative
actions, including the possibility of a criminal investigation into white-collar crime and plunder." Racan said President Stipe Mesic had given him the recordings yesterday. "A criminal investigation into white-collar crime and plunder is a possibility," Racan said commenting on an article in the latest issue of 'Nacional' weekly, which claims that President Tudjman and his advisor Ivic Pasalic had negotiated the purchase of "Vecernji list" daily for the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ). Racan said the Interior Ministry had contacted the State Attorney and was investigating statements from the recordings, along with other facts the Ministry had gathered on its own regarding the case.
ZAGREB, April 18 (Hina) - Prime Minister Ivica Racan told reporters
on Tuesday evening that "the tape recordings of talks between late
President Tudjman and his close associates point to the need for
initiating certain investigative actions, including the
possibility of a criminal investigation into white-collar crime
and plunder."
Racan said President Stipe Mesic had given him the recordings
yesterday.
"A criminal investigation into white-collar crime and plunder is a
possibility," Racan said commenting on an article in the latest
issue of 'Nacional' weekly, which claims that President Tudjman and
his advisor Ivic Pasalic had negotiated the purchase of "Vecernji
list" daily for the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ).
Racan said the Interior Ministry had contacted the State Attorney
and was investigating statements from the recordings, along with
other facts the Ministry had gathered on its own regarding the
case.
"Of course, at the moment I can't say more in view of the
investigation," Racan said.
Asked when the investigation could yield first results, Racan said
he was confident that competent investigative bodies and the
Interior Ministry would announce more concrete information very
soon.
Asked whether the investigation would stop the sale of "Vecernji
list" to an interested Austrian buyer, Racan said he could not
comment on that at the moment.
"However, I hope that the good buyer from Austria will be careful
himself, but in the legal sense I cannot advise the suspension of
the sale of 'Vecernji list.' Especially if he is buying in good
faith."
Asked whether the Pension Fund has the control package which could
stop the sale of the daily, Racan said that, as far as he knew,
something could be done in that regard as well, but at the moment it
was very important for Croatia not to lose a good buyer and
necessary foreign investments.
"A good buyer, the one investing in Croatia, is not obliged to
suffer the consequences of possible criminal activities in
Croatia," the Prime Minister said.
Racan said the Government would on Friday consider forming a
headquarters for preventing organised crime, "including crime
which occurred or may occur in segments of authority, i.e. state
management."
He explained that the headquarters would be an inter-ministry
headquarters - including officials from the Interior to the Finance
Ministries, and announced the establishment of a commission for
fighting corruption.
(hina) rml