ZAGREB, Oct 21 (Hina) - "There is no reason for changing the semi-presidential system into a type of chancellor's one," Croatian President Stjepan Mesic told a Croatian national TV net called 'CCN', on Friday night.
ZAGREB, Oct 21 (Hina) - "There is no reason for changing the semi-
presidential system into a type of chancellor's one," Croatian
President Stjepan Mesic told a Croatian national TV net called
'CCN', on Friday night.#L#
There would be no point in the mere transmission of powers from the
President (of the Republic) to Prime Minister, Mesic said giving an
interview during a broadcast called 'Censorship'.
The purpose of the announced constitutional changes should be to
balance the relationship between President, Prime Minister and
Sabor Speaker, he said adding that he would like to see such
constitutional changes which they had promoted in the run-up to the
January elections.
According to such amendments, the head of state should be a firm
point in authorities, who follows the enforcement of law and the
Constitution and who is a co-creator of the country's foreign
policy.
A discussion on the constitutional changes must result in proposals
for the balanced relationship, Mesic said adding that the intention
of his letter with remarks on draft constitutional changes
(elaborated by the parliamentary constitution and political system
committee) was to point to some not so good solutions.
I would like that constitutional solutions are to the benefit of all
citizens and that they can be in force for a long period, Mesic
said.
Responding to many questions of spectators about the economic
issues, Croatian President said all forces should be concentrated
on settlement of the economic problems.
One of our strategic objectives is to enhance the production, and
this could be achieved with a monetary policy in function of
development. We must have a real exchange rate of the kuna and this
will facilitate investments in the industry and tourism, while
Croatia would become acceptable for foreign investors, Mesic
explained and announced that his expert group would soon announce
its economic strategy.
The Government has its programme and strategic aims confirmed by
the national parliament (Sabor) and it has to implement that
programme. Political parties' presidents must not exert influence,
via their ministers, on the implementation, as ministers should be
responsible before the Government only. If you have two centres
(where you are expected to brief) as I believe that Government
ministers have - namely the Government and their parties' leaders -
then you are unstable, Mesic claimed.
Commenting on questions about 'frustration' of some Croatians who
feared that their country might again be pushed into a new Balkan
association, Mesic responded that even "if somebody would like to
enter some new association with some new Yugoslavia, the world
would not allow it. It is impossible."
Reacting upon the claim that in the wake of the latest elections
Yugoslavia (Serbia/Montenegro) has become a pet of the West, Mesic
said Serbia had to meet a series of conditions in order to be given
the international community's concrete assistance.
In order to be admitted into the European Union, Croatia must have
good relations with its neighbours and it is also our interest not
to have a barbed wire at the borderline with Serbia. The world has
supported (the newly-elected Yugoslav President Vojislav)
Kostunica, and we shall assess the situation, Mesic said answering
the question why the incumbent Croatian authorities were hastening
to establish ties with the newly-elected authorities in Belgrade.
(hina) ms