ZAGREB, Oct 28 (Hina) - The draft changes to the Constitution as endorsed by the parliamentary Committee on the Constitution, Rule Book and the Political System establish balance in authority and I believe we are on the right track
toward the constitutional changes as promised in the election campaign, Croatian President Stipe Mesic said on Saturday. Addressing reporters at Zagreb airport upon his return from Germany and Poland, Mesic said the draft changes, as endorsed by the Committee, would, "after possible additional adjustment", be adopted by parliament in November. Asked whether he was satisfied with the solution according to which the president of the state controls military and the government civil intelligence services, Mesic said his being satisfied was not important but the Sabor's decision was. "It is important that all those services are under control and that they perform tasks which
ZAGREB, Oct 28 (Hina) - The draft changes to the Constitution as
endorsed by the parliamentary Committee on the Constitution, Rule
Book and the Political System establish balance in authority and I
believe we are on the right track toward the constitutional changes
as promised in the election campaign, Croatian President Stipe
Mesic said on Saturday.
Addressing reporters at Zagreb airport upon his return from Germany
and Poland, Mesic said the draft changes, as endorsed by the
Committee, would, "after possible additional adjustment", be
adopted by parliament in November.
Asked whether he was satisfied with the solution according to which
the president of the state controls military and the government
civil intelligence services, Mesic said his being satisfied was not
important but the Sabor's decision was.
"It is important that all those services are under control and that
they perform tasks which are appropriate for any democracy," Mesic
said.
Speaking about his visits to Germany and Poland, Mesic said both
visits were very important for Croatia.
During the visit to Germany, Mesic met Chancellor Gerhard
Schroeder, President Johannes Rau, parliament speaker Wolfgang
Thierse and German business people.
The German political leadership has diffused our fears that with
the change of authority in Yugoslavia other countries in transition
will be pushed to the back seat as regards financial assistance,
said Mesic, adding Germany supported Croatia's efforts to speed up
its drawing closer to Europe.
According to Mesic, German business people have demonstrated
considerable interest in investments in Croatia.
Earlier today, Mesic and Polish President Alexander Kwasniewski
opened a new plant of Croatia's food industry 'Podravka' in
Poland.
"It is of exceptional importance that Croatia and Poland, as two
countries in transition, co-operate in the field of economy as
well. Polish citizens are very interested in Croatian products.
Podravka and Pliva are already present on the Polish market and I
hope our economic cooperation will be even better," Mesic said.
(hina) rml