ZAGREB, June 30 (Hina) - Croatian foreign affairs is being held hostage to its detriment by interior policies, several party bench leaders of opposition parties commented during Wednesday's parliamentary discussion on that topic. The
ruling Croatian Democratic Union's (HDZ) representative however, called on the opposition to stop their blockades which are not enabling conditions placed by the international community to be fulfilled. "It is true that Croatia's elite, simply oppose integration because their interests may be threatened. I believe that our foreign policies are at large hostaged by interior politics", said Damir Kajin on behalf of the Istrian Democratic Alliance (IDS) at a session of the Lower House during a discussion following a report presented by Foreign Minister Mate Granic. Croatia will virtually be isolated before it realises that its position is determined by its relations towards th
ZAGREB, June 30 (Hina) - Croatian foreign affairs is being held
hostage to its detriment by interior policies, several party bench
leaders of opposition parties commented during Wednesday's
parliamentary discussion on that topic.
The ruling Croatian Democratic Union's (HDZ) representative
however, called on the opposition to stop their blockades which are
not enabling conditions placed by the international community to be
fulfilled.
"It is true that Croatia's elite, simply oppose integration because
their interests may be threatened. I believe that our foreign
policies are at large hostaged by interior politics", said Damir
Kajin on behalf of the Istrian Democratic Alliance (IDS) at a
session of the Lower House during a discussion following a report
presented by Foreign Minister Mate Granic.
Croatia will virtually be isolated before it realises that its
position is determined by its relations towards the media; rights
gained during the National Liberation War (Partisan liberation in
WWII); flirting with remnants of the past; 'cleptocracy', and so
on, Kajin said.
Srecko Bijelic (Croatian People's Party, Istrian Democratic Forum,
bench leader), reminded that one of the conditions for Croatia's
integration was "a modern, democratic electoral system". Bijelic
questioned why this issue was being dragged out.
"Foreign affairs are a reflection of interior policies and people
value us by the standard of our interior policies", said Stjepan
Radic (Croatian Peasant's Party bench). Their opinion, Radic
believes, can be seen in that not one of the intended accessions to
international organisations has yet been realised.
Zlatko Kramaric of the Liberal Party, believes that Croatia has
"two sets of parallel policies", it signs conditions yet does not
implement them and that is why it is being penalised.
I hope that Granic will not be offended if I compare him with
Cervantes character Don Kihote and his efforts to the struggle with
the windmill, Kramaric said.
Croatian Social Liberal Party president Drazen Budisa believes
that the influence of interior politics on foreign affairs is most
evident in the fact that while Granic was in London and should have
been discussing awards and rewards for Croatia's cooperation was
instead compelled to discuss the Croatian soccer premiership.
"We must decide definitely not to conduct that form of politics...
to say one thing, sign another, and implement a third. The world
will no longer accept this...", said Mate Arlovic on behalf of the
Social Democratic Party.
HDZ party bench leader, imported to the opposition, that if it
wishes to strengthen Croatia's position in foreign affairs, it must
invest more effort to resolve the interior political scene and not
"block it by adding conditions".
Several opposition bench leaders raised the question of Croatia
being bypassed during a recent visit by US President Clinton to
Slovenia and Macedonia.
Stjepan Radic believes that "by bypassing Croatia, we have be told a
great deal about our relations with America", he said.
Zlatko Kramaric questioned how is it that a strategic partner to
Croatia, did not respect custom regarding visits to all the
countries of a particular region.
IDS's Damir Kajin asked if there is any prospect of a secret trade
regarding the Piran Bay.
"There is no reason to fear any secret trade off", Foreign Minister
Granic later replied.
Croatia holds that it is necessary to ensure undisturbed passage
through the bay and is prepared for arbitration at any time, said
Granic.
(hina) sp