ZAGREB, July 31 (Hina) - Croatian Prime Minister Ivica Racan spoke in Sunday night's Croatian Television central news broadcast about French President Jacques Chirac's initiative on a summit of European Union member-countries and
South-East European countries in Zagreb, his visit to Bosnia-Herzegovina, negotiations with the US company Enron, the government's performance in the past six months and a possible reshuffle in September. No one can force Croatia into some new Yugoslav or Balkan state form, Racan said, commenting on speculations about the Zagreb summit, which should be held in November. Some doubts regarding the conference still exist, Racan said, stressing he would request that the aims and content of the conference be clearly determined, as otherwise "it would be tragic and irresponsible to waste such a meeting on rituals with no concrete effects." Racan believes declarative support for countrie
ZAGREB, July 31 (Hina) - Croatian Prime Minister Ivica Racan spoke
in Sunday night's Croatian Television central news broadcast about
French President Jacques Chirac's initiative on a summit of
European Union member-countries and South-East European countries
in Zagreb, his visit to Bosnia-Herzegovina, negotiations with the
US company Enron, the government's performance in the past six
months and a possible reshuffle in September.
No one can force Croatia into some new Yugoslav or Balkan state
form, Racan said, commenting on speculations about the Zagreb
summit, which should be held in November.
Some doubts regarding the conference still exist, Racan said,
stressing he would request that the aims and content of the
conference be clearly determined, as otherwise "it would be tragic
and irresponsible to waste such a meeting on rituals with no
concrete effects." Racan believes declarative support for
countries aspiring to EU membership will not be sufficient.
"We have to know in advance what we want from that meeting, which
should be used for considering and defining serious problems in the
region and relations within the region and for testing EU's
relationship toward countries knocking on Europe's door," Racan
said.
Speaking about Croatia's role in the region, Racan said he did not
want Croatia to be the leader-country in the region, because
Croatia was a central-European and Mediterranean and partly Balkan
country.
Speaking about his visit to Bosnia-Herzegovina, Racan said the
purpose of the two-day visit was the strengthening of cooperation
between the two independent states. Agreements on cooperation
between the foreign ministries and temporary crossing of the border
with IDs were signed during the visit, he recalled.
Commenting on Alija Izetbegovic's objection to his visiting
Mostar, Racan said the visit did not mean the continuation of the
old Croatian policy toward Bosnia-Herzegovina, "but it is obvious
that some in Sarajevo did not understand that". Racan said he had
strongly supported efforts which were being made in Mostar to
strengthen the coexistence of Croats and Muslims through the
municipal administration.
Racan said his visit to Sarajevo was aimed at supporting the
integrity and independence of Bosnia-Herzegovina and all
democratic forces in the country.
Democratic forces in Croatia had condemned the policy toward
Bosnia-Herzegovina, which was harmful both for Croatia and Bosnia-
Herzegovina, but that policy has been defeated, he said.
Recalling that the tragic conflict between Bosnian Croats and
Muslims had occurred after the Serb aggression on Bosnia-
Herzegovina, Racan said responsibility for that conflicted rested
with both sides. It is not for me to establish who was more and who
less responsible, he said.
Asked whether Tudjman's legacy is still present in the policy
toward Bosnia-Herzegovina, Racan said it was not. The current
policy is transparent and is being implemented through the
institutions of authority. However, there is still much of the old
attitude in Bosnia-Herzegovina toward Croatia, Racan said.
He said he had noted some positive changes with Bosnian Croats,
however, they still were not sufficient.
Commenting on the US company Enron, Racan said the case had
temporarily, but not permanently, damaged Croatia's business
credibility. Attempts are being made to improve the contract which
is not favourable for Croatia. "If we do not manage to do it, we will
abide by the (existing) contract," he said.
According to Racan, the most difficult obstacle in negotiations is
Enron's attempt to bind Croatia to buy electricity at a fixed price.
"This is not European practice because there is a market of power
products," Racan said, adding the contract with such a provision
would block the transformation and privatisation of the Croatian
Power Industry (HEP).
Racan dismissed claims that the Enron case had affected the
official invitation to the Croatian President and himself to pay a
visit to the United States, which came relatively late. He reminded
that the US administration was busy being involved in the Near East
negotiations and the presidential campaign.
Speaking about the first six months of the government, Racan said
positive trends were visible, although the situation was still bad.
He reminded about the increase of industrial production and trade
and a minimal increase of exports.
Positive indicators will be even better by the end of this year, he
said.
Singling out unemployment as the most difficult problem, Racan
expressed hope that by the end of this year trends would change for
the better.
Speaking about a possible government reshuffle, Racan said he was
heading a coalition government and needed the consent of his
partners for some moves. Currently, changes in the organisation and
functioning of the government are more important than personnel
changes, he added.
The Prime Minister said a debate on a draft budget for 2001 and by
the end of the mandate would be held in September. He hopes this will
show business people, unions and potential investors that economic
conditions in Croatia are stable.
(hina) rml