HDZ ACCEPTS WORKING GROUP'S PROPOSAL FOR ELECTION LEGISLATION

ZAGREB, March 19 (Hina) - The Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) has accepted a proposal of the expert working group that drew up basic principles and institutes for the Croatian election legislation. It is a solid and good material, and a good base for further political talks on the matter at the Croatian National Parliament (Sabor), said the spokesman for Croatia's ruling party, Ivan Ropus, at a news conference in Zagreb on Friday. Commenting on a proposal for the election law, made by the expert working group, Ropus said that although his party viewed it with some reserve, it assessed that such proposal could serve as a good base for elaborating a good election law. If the working group achieved consensus, there is no reason for failing to reach consensus on the political scene, Ropus told reporters. The political consensus on the election law would be a guarantee for a lasting and stable electoral system, he added. After 10 years it's time the permanent and more stable election system were established in Croatia, Ropus assessed adding that the proposal of the working group is on that path. The suggested proportional representation (PR), in the opinion of not only of the HDZ and opposition leaders but also of experts, is a system that reflects the votes of the constituency most credibly in mandates. The PR is most common electoral system in European Union member-countries, according to Ropus. Speaking of a special list for Croatian nationals with no permanent abode in Croatia, the HDZ spokesman said the right of such persons to be represented at Sabor has a firm foothold in the country's constitution and in the group's proposal. He said he had noticed that opposition leaders has alleviated their disapprobation of the special list for the Diaspora. He expressed his opinion that the election law would be forwarded into the parliamentary procedure after political parties harmonised their views on the matter, but it would not be until summer. The HDZ party accepted with understanding the decision of Bosnian Croat leaders to freeze their activities in all executive and legislative bodies of Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Bosnian Moslem- Croat Federation and at local levels from 22 to 28 March, after latest tragic events, Ropus said in response to a journalist's question. He stressed that the position of Bosnian Croats had been dramatically, and recounted that 10 Bosnian Croats had been killed in the last year. Obviously, Bosnian Croats are being exposed to great pressure, the HDZ spokesman said. He added that it was also evident that the Dayton accords should be adjusted to new circumstances, with the consistent adherence to the spirit and letter of this one and the Washington deal. He suggested that the arrangement of Bosnia into cantons should be continued and the right of Croats to self-government be respected at all levels. On Friday's news conference, Ivica Kostovic spoke of the re- organisation of the bodies of the state administration with an aim to ensure their effective and cheaper work as well as economic and political stability. A document on the strategy for the economic development, which the Croatian Government has ordered, is nearing the completion, Kostovic said adding that the committee for the strategic decisions would decide on guidelines of the document based on the viable economic growth and stability. The reorganisation of national security services, the Croatian military, diplomacy, and judiciary is under way, Kostovic said. Asked about visits of Croatian President Franjo Tudjman, Kostovic who is his chief-of-staff, said the party's press conference was not a place to answer such questions. However, he added, American Croats have forwarded an invitation to Tudjman to visit them in the United States. An official visit of the United States for Tudjman's tour has not yet come, but if it comes, the call will be considered with pleasure, Kostovic said. (hina) ms