OPPOSITION PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE PRESENTS ELECTION PLATFORM ON TV

ZAGREB, June 13 (Hina) - Presidential Candidate Vladimir Gotovac presented his electoral platform on Croatian television Thursday evening, after presidential candidates Zdravko Tomac and Franjo Tudjman had presented theirs on Tuesday and Wednesday. Gotovac said his programme was intended for all citizens of Croatia, for all strata who wanted to change their status and everyday life, who wanted a different Croatia from what it was today. "I particularly address young people who are moving out of the country, which is most tragic, because they do not believe that Croatia is a country in which they can realise their future," Gotovac said. He expressed confidence that Croatia "has a brilliant opportunity to become a truly rich country, filled with prosperity and freedom". According to Gotovac, a parliamentary system ought to be returned to Croatia, the government should be granted a much bigger authority and thus the currently too big authority removed from the president. Advocating that all democratic institutions function as in every true free, democratic, pluralistic and parliamentary country, Gotovac said that the new president of the republic should answer to the nation and parliament for everything he did, and added that, in that sense, he would initiate amendments to the Constitution. Asked about international pressures on Croatia, Gotovac said, "I am deeply convinced that Croatia is in no danger and that nobody is endangering it," and added that by accessing international associations, Croatia would not lose its sovereignty and independence. "The issue is about commitments set by the European Union, not about pressures, and if you want to be a part of it, you must answer them," Gotovac said. Expressing support for a free market which would also protect the social dignity of all people, Gotovac said that an economy needed to be developed "which will ensure good life for everyone". In Croatia, some people were convinced that their patriotic duty was to physically assault a person who thought differently from the current authority, Gotovac said. "This is why a young man, who is also a Croatian army Captain First Class, was convinced that it was his patriotic duty to prevent my rally in Pula," Gotovac said, adding that the incident had not changed his stance towards the Croatian army. The Croatian army should be sophisticated, highly professional, well equipped, and primarily depoliticised, Gotovac said. Describing the media in Croatia, Gotovac said they were not professional and had not fulfilled the task they ought to have in an entirely democratic society. Speaking about Bosnia-Herzegovina, he expressed confidence that it would be maintained as a unified country. Commenting on the relations between Croatia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, the presidential candidate of eleven political parties said he opposed both the Dayton and Erdut agreements. (hina) lm mm 131144 MET jun 97