PM RACAN DEPARTS FOR LONDON TO ATTEND LABOUR PARTY CONVENTION

ZAGREB, Sept 23 (Hina) - Croatia's Prime Minister and Social Democratic Party (SDP) president Ivica Racan departed for Great Britain on Saturday morning to attend a convention of Britain's ruling Labour Party. Racan was invited to London by Britain's Prime Minister and Labour Party president Tony Blair. He will attend the convention in the function of SDP's president and make an address on Tuesday. "I will speak about Croatia's policy and our views of the international situation, especially the situation in our neighbourhood," Racan told reporters at Zagreb's airport prior to departure. He said his speech at the convention would address the tasks awaiting the government in connection with the revitalisation of the economy, economic development, and the further strengthening of democratic institutions. Racan will also point out Croatia's openness to international, including regional, cooperation. He stressed Croatia was interested in a regional cooperation "which will not hamper it in integrating faster into Euro-Atlantic structures, the EU especially." Racan's speech will also address Croatia's views of the situation in Europe and neighbouring countries. Given that it will be made two days after elections in Yugoslavia, he might make "a brief improvised comment on the situation there as well." "It is known that I expect a stormy, uncertain and difficult period regardless of the elections' outcome, be their results acknowledged or not," he said. Besides addressing the Labour Party convention, Croatia's Prime Minister will meet Britain's counterpart Blair, Foreign Secretary Robin Cook, and other officials. Racan is also expected to hold talks at the London Stock Exchange and Lloyd's. "In talks with Blair and Cook I will be speaking as Croatia's Prime Minister, defending Croatia's interests and policy. I hope we will open the subject of better cooperation between Croatia and Great Britain." Racan returns to Croatia on Wednesday. (hina) ha