PRIME MINISTER RELEASES CHRISTMAS/NEW YEAR'S MESSAGE

ZAGREB, Dec 21 (Hina) - Prime Minister Ivica Racan on Thursday issued a message to the citizens ahead of the upcoming holidays telling them, among else, the government was and would be doing all in its power to enable each citizen to have a life worthy of man. Wishing a merry Christmas and happy New Year on his and the government's behalf, the message read: "The year we are bidding farewell to began marked by a strong desire for change. This is why the electoral result was not merely a regular change of authority but at the same time testified to great hopes for a fairer and better life. The government was, therefore, burdened by a big responsibility. We had to come to grips with an enormous legacy of social and economic issues and simultaneously fulfil the citizens' justified and impatient expectations. "At year's end I can proudly say that we have managed to decelerate sliding down many a dangerous slope, somewhere stopping it altogether, and in several places we have even started climbing up! The steps we have taken are encouraging as they show that we have not taken the wrong path, even though we cannot yet feel them in everyday life. "We are aware of the huge differences between those who can afford thriftiness and those who must renounce even the basic needs. We are doing and will do everything in our power to enable each Croatian citizen to have a life worthy of man. This means that their honest work enables them to supports the family, educate the children and enjoy the spare time. "It is impossible to fulfil everyone's hopes overnight, but I promise you that we will shorten as much as possible this difficult time of sacrifice and dearth. "I wish all citizens health and happiness in the new year, and the government and myself your support as the strongest foothold in efforts aimed at a better common tomorrow," read the message by the prime minister, here released in unofficial translation. (hina) ha