ZAGREB, May 30 (Hina) - The Croatian National Sabor on Tuesday marked Statehood Day with a special session, which was addressed by Sabor President Zlatko Tomcic and Croatian President Stipe Mesic. Exactly ten years ago, on May 30
1990, a multiparty democratic Sabor was constituted after half a century of the one-party rule.
ZAGREB, May 30 (Hina) - The Croatian National Sabor on Tuesday
marked Statehood Day with a special session, which was addressed by
Sabor President Zlatko Tomcic and Croatian President Stipe Mesic.
Exactly ten years ago, on May 30 1990, a multiparty democratic Sabor
was constituted after half a century of the one-party rule. #L#
Sabor President Tomcic welcomed the highest state officials and
representatives of Croatia's political, cultural and public life,
religious communities, the diplomatic corps in Croatia as well as
other guests attending the session. Following Tomcic's address,
President Stipe Mesic addressed the session and all Croatian
citizens with an epistle.
The Sabor paid tribute to all those who built their lives into the
Croatian state, Homeland War victims, and the first Croatian
President Franjo Tudjman, with a minute of silence.
All important dates in the history of Croatia are important dates in
the history of the Croatian Sabor, because the Sabor was the body
which adopted all crucial decisions. That is why May 30 1990 is
doubtless the day of the crucial political event in Croatia's more
recent history, Tomcic said.
The democratically constituted Sabor also assumed the
constitutional role and realised the establishment of Croatia as a
sovereign and independent state. On May 30 1990, a decisive step was
taken on the path of democracy, parliamentary system and statehood,
in line with standards of the western civilisation, Tomcic said.
The constituting of the Sabor in 1990 was the beginning of a long-
lasting process of democratic development, which was impeded by the
Great-Serbian aggression, human suffering and huge material losses
as well as by the establishment of a political system marked by a
significant lack of democracy. The current political situation,
which is the result of the change of political powers on January 3
this year, guarantees further development of the democratic
Croatian society, the Sabor president added.
"Democracy is our permanent commitment, and this includes human and
political freedoms, social justice, and dignified living for every
person. We want to enjoy such democracy in our own state, but we also
want to be part of the community of free European and world
nations," the Sabor president said.
Insisting on discussions about the past is not a good companion for
the future, Tomcic said. We need debates which are directed towards
future projects, which will enable us to overcome the economic and
democratic recession, he added.
The announced constitutional changes - the transformation of the
semi-presidential system into parliamentary democracy - is the
greatest challenge in the search for internal peace, which is a
precondition for us to be compatible with the integrated nations of
Europe and the world, Tomcic said.
He expressed belief that the Sabor would successfully complete the
announced changes with the support of all political and public
structures.
(hina) jn rml