CRO LOWER HOUSE DEBATES FOREIGN POLICY

ZAGREB, Feb 18 (Hina) - Croatian opposition parliamentary benches on Thursday assessed a report on Croatia's foreign policy did not offer concrete solutions and paths of realisation for set foreign policy goals. Foreign Minister Mate Granic on Thursday submitted to the House of Representatives a report on Croatia's foreign policy in which he singled out integration with European institutions and approaching NATO as strategic goals. Ivan Jakovcic of the Istrian Democratic Assembly said neither Croatia nor its economy "have any prospect" on the international scene without urgent steps. He said the report did not suggest a way out of Croatia's unpromising international position. Vlado Gotovac of the Liberal party said Croatia had in the last few years failed to make a step forward in realising its strategic goals. "I am deeply convinced that we must change the people who will do that," he said. Speaking for the Croatian People's Party/Istrian Democratic Forum, Radimir Cacic accused the ruling party of putting foreign policy at the service of its own interests on the domestic scene which, he said, had resulted in having western institutions portrayed as hostile or dangerous. Cacic said it was unclear whether the foreign policy created by the ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) was directed at integration with Europe or at isolation. The present authorities have lost all credibility with regard to the issue of Croatia's integration with Europe, he assessed. Ivica Racan of the Social Democratic Party said only those who "see their chance in politics in this type of situation, and in even more strained conflicts with Europe" could be satisfied with Croatia's current relations with Europe. Racan remarked that the opposition in Croatia was, in helping resolve these problems, being offered only simulated dialogue. Drazen Budisa of the Croatian Social Liberal Party said he did not share his opposition colleagues' illusion that Croatia's integration with Europe will occur sooner after a change of the ruling structure. He added however that, even in the absence of a spectacular entry, Croatia will get closer to European institutions. Anto Djapic of the Croatian Party of Rights countered the wishes for a speedier rapprochement with Europe with the consequences of the "thorny and dangerous road" of a hasty integration with European institutions. Stjepan Radic of the Croatian Peasants' Party said Croatia, in setting its foreign policy priorities, should focus on political and economic issues, rather than military ones. Speaking on behalf of the Opposition Six group of parties, Luka Trconic said a "general psychosis" had been created among the Croatian public, on account of an alleged international conspiracy against Croatia. Such allegations incited the opposition to demand a foreign policy debate, he emphasised. That psychosis, Trconic said, "is in truth detrimental to Croatia and is practically suppressing Croatia's strategic commitment." Responding to claims about the closed doors Croatia is facing before the international community, Zarko Domljan on behalf of the ruling party said today Croatia was participating, as an equal partner, in the work of international organisations, from the UN, to the UNSECO, or the Interparliamentary Union. Domljan said integration and regional approaches ought not to be dismissed a priori, but added focus should be put on the individual evaluation of countries. (hina) ha jn