ZAGREB, Nov 12 (Hina) - The session of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) Head Committee, Main Election Headquarters and all party bodies, announced for November 20, might be postponed for seven days at most, party spokesman Ivica
Ropus told a news conference on Friday. All party pre-election activities are proceeding in line with the previously set dynamics, Ropus said, adding the elections would most probably be held on December 22.
ZAGREB, Nov 12 (Hina) - The session of the Croatian Democratic Union
(HDZ) Head Committee, Main Election Headquarters and all party
bodies, announced for November 20, might be postponed for seven
days at most, party spokesman Ivica Ropus told a news conference on
Friday.
All party pre-election activities are proceeding in line with the
previously set dynamics, Ropus said, adding the elections would
most probably be held on December 22. #L#
Asked whether President Franjo Tudjman was able to perform his
duties as a statesman, the President's Chief-of-Staff Ivica
Kostovic said only the doctors' team could give information
regarding the President's condition.
Asked when he last saw Tudjman, Kostovic said he visited the
President whenever his doctors allowed it. The public has been
informed about the President's condition in a regular, correct,
timely and expert manner and Croatian state officials are
acquainted with the President's condition, Kostovic added.
The course of the recovery, the histologic findings, the time the
drains were taken out as well as the complications which occurred
two days ago were described in the reports by the doctors' team,
which were signed by Dr Branimir Jaksic, Kostovic said.
Due to these complications, which can be expected after such a
serious operation and peritonitis, it is a fact that the
President's condition has deteriorated, Kostovic said, adding that
there have been no major changes for the worse in the President's
condition in relation to yesterday's report.
The relatively short reports by the doctors' team are sufficient
for following the recovery, the treatment and possible
deterioration, which has now occurred, Kostovic said, adding there
have been no objections to the doctors' reports by experts or
foreign statesmen and factors who are interested in Croatia's
stability and the President's speedy recovery.
The communication regarding the President's condition through the
doctors' team may have some deficiencies but it is consistent,
Kostovic said.
Spokesman Ropus said the HDZ welcomed the statement by the
Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) that the
Croatian legislation incorporates recommendations by the
international community regarding the media coverage of the
elections and multiparty electoral commissions.
The party also welcomes the statement by the Croatian Bishops'
Conference's Commission "Justitia et pax", which confirms that the
Catholic Church has not taken a negative stand toward the election
date. The party agrees with the Commission's statement that the
mentality of intolerance has still not been overcome, Ropus said.
The HDZ will demonstrate tolerance and it expects the same from
opposition parties, Ropus said, emphasising the HDZ has not denied
anyone the legitimate right to visit international institutions
and develop international cooperation.
Ropus rejected the claim by Vilim Herman (HSLS) that the Croatian
authorities were dysfunctional, adding the authorities were
functioning regularly and in line with the Constitution and laws.
The HDZ spokesman also spoke about Croatian Television (HTV)
reporters Ivo Loncar and Tihomir Ladisic, who joined in the
election campaigns of opposition parties, saying it was finally
clear that the two reporters had for some time been working on HTV as
spokesmen for the parties whose election campaigns they joined
while hiding behind their claims about professional values.
(hina) mm rml