ZAGREB, Oct 3 (Hina) - Croatia's Premier Ivica Racan reiterated that he was sorry that the "Generals' case" had occurred and emphasised that he did not think that procedure had definitely been finished towards all of them "who have
been affected by the decision of the President of the Republic". "I hold that at the moment we need more sense, responsibility, tolerance, dialogue and thus we can resolve even what seems to be difficult to resolve. Neither has this story about the retired generals ended, but this depends on each of them (generals) individually," Racan said during his interview to the Croatian Television news programme "Dnevnik Plus" on Tuesday evening. Reiterating that he was unhappy that such a thing had happened, Croatian Premier said that for a democratic society it was unacceptable that people active in armed forces are engaged in political campaigns. "This is not a
ZAGREB, Oct 3 (Hina) - Croatia's Premier Ivica Racan reiterated
that he was sorry that the "Generals' case" had occurred and
emphasised that he did not think that procedure had definitely been
finished towards all of them "who have been affected by the decision
of the President of the Republic".
"I hold that at the moment we need more sense, responsibility,
tolerance, dialogue and thus we can resolve even what seems to be
difficult to resolve. Neither has this story about the retired
generals ended, but this depends on each of them (generals)
individually," Racan said during his interview to the Croatian
Television news programme "Dnevnik Plus" on Tuesday evening.
Reiterating that he was unhappy that such a thing had happened,
Croatian Premier said that for a democratic society it was
unacceptable that people active in armed forces are engaged in
political campaigns. "This is not acceptable. I am sorry they have
done so and I am also sorry that such a move required the response
which President Mesic gave," Racan added.
It is another matter that I do not think that in the final
consequences the procedure has finished definitely for all of them.
I deeply believe that Croatian Armed Forces would need some of them
to whom the decision (on the retirement) refers, thanks to their
knowledge.
Asked whether the general (signatories to last Thursday's open
letter) should offer apologies, Premier responded that nobody
asked apology. "But, let me say that it depends on them whether they
will after all remain in the army or not," he explained.
Asked by a spectator whether such acts (she thought of President
Stjepan Mesic's decision to send seven generals in retirement,
owing to their engagement in a political activity) led to the
weakening of the Croatian army's stability and how much Croatia
needed it at the moment when "it is boiling in its neighbourhood",
Racan posed a counter-question asking "Have not generals
contributed to the weakening of the security of our country when in
such a situation, they, who are active officers, interfered in the
politics. They are who made the first step."
Answering several question on this topic Premier stressed that he
was firmly confident that a vast majority of officers were aware
that active officers should not ask for their place in the political
life. He also believed that most officers were democratically
oriented.
We must ensure that members in service to the Croatian Armed Forces
(HV) direct their attention to their basic tasks such as the defence
of independence of Croatia, shun interference in political
struggles and avoid arbitration on behalf of any political party,
he stressed.
Racan added he had no information on an alleged letter which another
20 HV officers had signed and expressed hope that this number was
not correct.
Premier also answered many questions from the economic field.
(hina) ms