ZAGREB, Oct 22 (Hina) - Citizens were on Sunday given the opportunity to visit the Croatian Government building (Banski dvori) from 10am to 1pm. The building was opened for the public for the first time Sunday, at the initiative of
Prime Minister Ivica Racan, who greeted visitors and spoke to them, among other things, about their personal problems.
ZAGREB, Oct 22 (Hina) - Citizens were on Sunday given the
opportunity to visit the Croatian Government building (Banski
dvori) from 10am to 1pm.
The building was opened for the public for the first time Sunday, at
the initiative of Prime Minister Ivica Racan, who greeted visitors
and spoke to them, among other things, about their personal
problems. #L#
Citizens and reporters were able to tour the "Ban Josip Jelacic"
hall where the Government holds its session every Thursday, the
Prime Minister's personal office and other offices in the
building.
Greeting the visitors, Racan said it is normal for Croatian
citizens to be able to visit and see their Government. Not every
day, however, but at least one day a week, he added.
"Our task is the normalisation of the Croatian State. In other
democratic countries citizens may also see their governments,
because the government uses their money and must answer for it,"
Racan stressed.
He announced the remaining section of the Government building would
also be opened for visitors soon, "when what had been snapped up is
returned".
Asked who snapped up and what, the Prime Minister said he "did not
want to speak about this at the moment ... but when these items are
returned, we can speak about where they were brought back from".
"Some items which used to be in the Government building are no
longer here, and are being sought," Racan said.
"We will gather items for which we know were here and have been
documented. We are trying to return the items of which the
whereabouts are known to us to where they belong -- the Banski
dvori, Racan asserted.
Asked about media reports claiming Racan was in conflict with
President Stipe Mesic about constitutional changes, Racan said
"some are writing about conflicts between Mesic and Racan,
conflicts of which I am not a part. The Constitution is no longer an
issue of agreement between Mesic and Racan, negotiations or the
like. The Constitution is at the Parliament and the Parliament is
now discussing the Constitution."
He recalled President Mesic had the right to voice his opinion on
draft amendments to the Constitution -- to be decided on at the
Parliament on November 8 -- and announced the Government would also
relay its stance on the issue at its session on Thursday.
"The Constitution is not an issue of agreement among individuals,"
Racan stressed.
Recalling electoral promises of the ruling six-party coalition,
the Prime Minister said their "task, which has been promised to the
people of this country, is to inaugurate a parliamentary democracy.
This is a very important subject and a discussion on it is welcome.
We should discuss solutions which are best for implementing
parliamentary democracy," he said.
During talks with citizens, Racan announced the opening tenders for
jobs at the tax administration, customs administration and
financial police soon.
"I personally insist tenders be published as a means of deciding on
personnel in such delicate services as are the tax administration,
customs administration and financial police ... preferring
expertise and integrity rather than party affiliation. I believe I
will receive the Government's support and the support of the
(ruling coalition of) six parties in this," Racan said.
Racan also answered citizens' questions about employment,
returning debts to pensioners, returning savings deposits from
banks in bankruptcy, the restitution of property and the Law on
Denationalisation of property.
(hina) lml