ARTICLE 11 COMMISSION THREATENS SANCTIONS OVER RETURN (PT. 2)

( Editorial: --> 2506 ) ZAGREB, May 8 (Hina) - Representatives of Croatian political parties told reporters after their meeting with members of the Article 11 Commission on Friday that they had assumed a joint stance, opposing sanctions against Croatia. "The SDP (Social Democratic Party categorically opposes sanctions and will do everything to make sure that contentious problems in Croatia's relations with Europe are not solved in a hard-line manner on either side," SDP president, Ivica Racan, said. At the meeting, Racan suggested that the next talks with Article 11 Commission not be held at the US Embassy, but rather at the Croatian National Parliament. President of the Croatian Peasants' Party (HSS) Zlatko Tomcic said he had supported the right of every person to return to their homes, as well as the necessity of implementation of commitments the Croatian Government has assumed. President of the Croatian Christian Democratic Union (HKDU) Anto Kovacevic said he had advocated that the international community not use double criteria to the detriment of Croats displaced from Bosnia-Herzegovina. Deputy president of the Croatian Social Liberal Party (HSLS) Goran Granic said the Croatian Government and the international community were accusing one another for both having done a bad job. "Sanctions could help only those who do not want to solve this problem," Granic said. President of the Croatian People's Party (HNS) Radimir Cacic said the international community could achieve its goals without pressures on Croatia. More so, the threat of sanctions is not just a threat, but sanctions have already been imposed, Cacic said. "Our banking system is burdened by sanctions, our companies are burdened by sanctions, we are already under sanctions and it is an unendurable situation for the Croatian economy," he said. Deputy president of the Independent Democratic Serb Party (SDSS) Milorad Pupovac hailed the announcement of another meeting between the international community and the Croatian Government, as well as a possible agreement on the process for the return of Serb refugees. "Regarding the sanction threat, they are not good for any side, as we have seen from examples of other countries," Pupovac said. "They are not good for the common people, they are not good for democratisation in society, and in that sense, we cannot support sanctions, rather we ask for dialogue," he said. (hina) lm/mrb as 081748 MET may 98