MESIC, RACAN TO DISCUSS ECONOMIC SITUATION IN COUNTRY

ZAGREB, Oct 10 (Hina) - I will probably meet President Mesic for talks this evening or tomorrow, Prime Minister Ivica Racan told reporters on Tuesday when asked to comment on today's news that he would be invited by the President for talks on the difficult economic situation in the country. The Zagreb-based weekly Nacional reported today that President Mesic, alarmed by citizens' questions during his recent live interview on Croatian television and economic indicators, said that he would request Racan and the government to present their economic strategy, which has been announced for a long time, as soon as possible. It would be better to discuss this in direct talks rather than through the media, Racan told reporters after his meeting with a delegation of the Joint List of Social Democrats of Slovenia. Asked to comment on President Mesic's assessment that the visit of Assistant Foreign Minister Josko Paro to Belgrade was premature and that he had not been consulted about it, Racan said he did not believe the visit was premature and that there had been no consultations. "Common diplomatic channels exist between countries and it is through these channels that issues should be cleared up. Everybody in the world is establishing contact with the newly-elected Yugoslav president Vojislav Kostunica, and it should only be fair that we establish it as well, and listen to what they think about some issues and present our view on steps which should be made by the Serbian side with the aim of normalising our relations," Racan said. This was done in these contacts and that is why I believe that they are good. More about this will be said at the government's regular session on Thursday, Racan said. (hina) jn rml