MESIC COMMENTS FURTHER ON HDZ PROCLAMATION

SLAVONSKI BROD, Sept 30 (Hina) - Croatia's President Stipe Mesic said on Saturday the Croatian Democratic Union party (HDZ) was evidently unable to accept coming into and stepping down from power in a democratic fashion. Mesic reacted to a proclamation the largest opposition party issued today calling on the Croatian people to use democratic means to express disagreement with what it says is dangerous conduct of the regime, and urging early parliamentary elections.#L# "What do they want with new elections? They will no longer be in parliament, while now they hold a few seats at least," said the president. "For ten years they had the power, they showed what they can do. Now they want to isolate Croatia again and pillage what is left," he said. Commenting on a request by the HDZ Head Committee that he revoke his Friday's decision on retirement for seven active army generals, the president said "that would be possible, but only if HDZ's leaders were supreme commanders (of the armed forces)." Mesic also dismissed Prime Minister Ivica Racan's statement that he made an oversight in not notifying the minister of defence about his decision. "There were no oversights. I made the decision on the basis of the Constitution," he said. (hina) ha