ZAGREB, Oct 18 (Hina) - Croatia's National Parliament President Vlatko Pavletic and heads of the parties' benches in the House of Representatives, on Monday held talks with over 40 foreign reporters on many topics, particularly on the
coming parliamentary election and the election law. Pavletic applauded this visit of foreign journalists saying it was good to take in consideration remarks made by people outside Croatia as "they can perceive many things and problems that we cannot see." Foreign guests were mostly interested in the act on the Croatian Television (HTV), and opposition parties' deputies emphasised that it was a crucial issue in their negotiations with the ruling HDZ party. Ivan Jakovcic of the Istrian Democratic Alliance (IDS), who is now the coordinator of the Opposition Six, said the ambition of opposition parties is to reach agreement with the HDZ on the entire electoral legislation.
ZAGREB, Oct 18 (Hina) - Croatia's National Parliament President
Vlatko Pavletic and heads of the parties' benches in the House of
Representatives, on Monday held talks with over 40 foreign
reporters on many topics, particularly on the coming parliamentary
election and the election law.
Pavletic applauded this visit of foreign journalists saying it was
good to take in consideration remarks made by people outside
Croatia as "they can perceive many things and problems that we
cannot see."
Foreign guests were mostly interested in the act on the Croatian
Television (HTV), and opposition parties' deputies emphasised that
it was a crucial issue in their negotiations with the ruling HDZ
party.
Ivan Jakovcic of the Istrian Democratic Alliance (IDS), who is now
the coordinator of the Opposition Six, said the ambition of
opposition parties is to reach agreement with the HDZ on the entire
electoral legislation.
Jakovcic informed them that on Tuesday opposition parties'
representatives would hold talks with the HDZ on this matter and
expressed hope that they would achieve agreement on the election
law, electoral units and the HTV coverage of the run-up and the
election.
"Tomorrow we shall try to achieve that HTV stops promoting (only)
the ruling party. If it keeps (promoting it) we are bringing a fair
election in danger," Jakovcic explained.
Foreign reporters asked whether the opposition holds that a dozen
weeks, how much time remains until the voting, is a too short period
to ensure that the election and pre-election campaign may be fair.
Pavletic replied that all parties had already had enough time to
present themselves, and voiced hope that a consensus would be
reached in order that "each party can be promoted in the equal and
fair manner through the electronic media."
Jozo Rados of the Croatian Social and Liberal Party (HSLS), relayed
to reporters opposition parties' stand that the remaining time
before the election was too short.
"We maintain that the time, which remains until the election while
there is still no agreement on the election law, the constituencies
law and how the HTV should cover the voting, is a key defect," Rados
said.
Vladimir Seks of the HDZ responded that Croatia has the election law
adding that since the end of 1998 it has been continuously discussed
about amendments to the election law, but the HDZ and opposition
parties have so far failed to agree on it.
Reporters wanted to know what might happen if no agreement was
reached on Tuesday's talks.
Seks said (in that case) the current law would not be used but his
party would forward, into a parliamentary procedure, a draft bill
which is in line with the agreement signed with the Opposition on 25
May this year (providing for proportional representation, nine
constituencies, the prohibitive clause of five percent, five seats
for minorities' deputies, non-fixed quota for Croatia's citizens
who live abroad).
Jakovcic explained that the opposition is planning to win the next
election and compose new government.
"Opposition parties are linked with three agreements. The first
includes the obligation for opposition parties to appear together
in the public with principles of their programmes and the
obligation not to enter any coalition with the HDZ, he said.
Another two agreements link the SDP (Social and Democratic Party)
and the HSLS into one block while the remaining IDS, LS (Liberal
Party), HNS (Croatian People's Party) and HSS (Croatian Peasants'
Party) constitute the other. They firmly agreed on cooperation
after the election, Jakovcic explained.
Anton Vujic of the SDP answered reporters' question why they form
these two blocks. "Because they want to preserve ballots and
maintain the identity of the parties, Vujic said.
(hina) ms