HDZ HOLDS CENTRAL PRE-ELECTORAL RALLY IN ZAGREB

ZAGREB, Dec 30 (Hina) - The candidates of the ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) for the January 3 parliamentary elections on Thursday held the final pre-electoral rally in Zagreb. The ruling party's candidates urged voters to place their trust in the HDZ once again because, they pointed out, under HDZ's and late Croatian and HDZ President Franjo Tudjman's leadership, the Croatian people established and defended its independent state. "The HDZ seeks another mandate, because it has a clear vision of the future of Croatia and the best people who will realise it," said Mate Granic. He added the HDZ wanted a modern, democratic, and law- based state, access to the European Union (EU) and NATO, and not Balkan associations. "We never again want to be part of the states of the Dayton agreement," Granic asserted. He reminded that in 1990, Tudjman and the HDZ had a clear vision of the Croatian state, whereas "those who now aspire to take power and lead Croatia in the future at that time only fumbled." Ljerka Mintas-Hodak said the HDZ was running for the impending parliamentary elections united and determined to win, as always. "We don't consent to access the EU through Balkan associations in which the decision-making headquarters would again be in Belgrade," she said. "We in the HDZ knew how to build and will continue to build the Croatian state," Mintas-Hodak announced. According to Ivica Kostovic, the "HDZ wants to usher Croatia into Europe, but doesn't want it to be the locomotive of the western Balkans into which they always pushed it. Let's restore the unity of the Croatian people who wishes to pursue with Tudjman's policy." Kostovic said the HDZ was capable of ensuring well-being and social justice to every Croat, as well as of protecting the interests of the Croatian people and state. Zlatko Canjuga said "these elections resolve the issue of the Croatian people's survival." He was sure the HDZ would win "in the interest of the Croatian people and state." Ivan Penic said that thanks to the HDZ, Croatia had peace, stability, and security. The HDZ is for Croatia's access to the EU, NATO and its Partnership for Peace programme, and against Southeast associations, he said, and urged voters to vote for the HDZ and thus "choose a dignified and proud road to Europe." At tonight's rally a minute of silence was paid to the late President Tudjman and all who sacrificed their lives for free Croatia. (hina) ha