ZAGREB, Nov 16 (Hina) - The presidents of the parties making Croatia's Opposition Six coalition on Tuesday said they would abandon the idea of visiting Brussels later this month only if Croatian President Franjo Tudjman's condition
deteriorated.
ZAGREB, Nov 16 (Hina) - The presidents of the parties making
Croatia's Opposition Six coalition on Tuesday said they would
abandon the idea of visiting Brussels later this month only if
Croatian President Franjo Tudjman's condition deteriorated.#L#
"We have already accepted the European Commission invitation to
come to Brussels, and we do not want to change this position unless
there is a big reason," Opposition Six coordinator Ivica Racan told
reporters.
The Opposition Six accepted an invitation to visit European
Commission and NATO headquarters in Brussels on 24 and 25
November.
Racan said the visit would come into question if, unfortunately,
the situation around President Tudjman's became more difficult.
He asserted the opposition protected the President's dignity
because, he said, this was a common national duty, and added the
opposition did not intend to use the President's health for pre-
electoral purposes.
The Opposition Six calls on the ruling Croatian Democratic Union
(HDZ) not to manipulate with President Tudjman's health either, and
to also protect his dignity, Racan said when asked to comment on
statements HDZ spokesman Ivica Ropus made on Croatian Television
last evening.
Ropus said he was appalled at allegations and statements coming
from some opposition parties which said that the Constitutional
Court should proclaim President Tudjman permanently disabled to
perform the duty of head of state.
Ropus also said the pre-electoral campaign was being conducted in
poor taste and was an attempt to further dramatise the political
situation in Croatia.
Racan avoided to answer if the Opposition Six was of the opinion the
government should propose permanent disability to the
Constitutional Court. "In this case we are only pointing out that
the authorities and duties of the President of the Republic are
really extensive and that they must be carried out," he said.
The Opposition Six, Racan added, expects the government will act
responsibly, and that considering the behaviour of institutions of
authority, they will able to give a definite answer in the near
future.
Racan said the Opposition Six today did not discuss speculation on
changes to the Constitution, but added their position was known -
full parliamentary democracy instead of a semi-presidential
system.
(hina) ha jn