HDZ PRESIDENCY FORWARDS OPEN LETTER TO CROATIAN PUBLIC

ZAGREB, March 29 (Hina) - The Presidency of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) on Friday forwarded an open letter to the Croatian public, explaining the crux of the crisis in the Zagreb City and County authorities. The letter, signed by the HDZ Secretary-General, Ivan Valent, "once again calls on all opposition parties which care for Croatia's national and state interests to show willingness for cooperation and diplomatic dialogue". The letter draws the public attention to the fact that the Alliance of Opposition parties presented the results of the Zagreb election in a distorted way. "The Opposition speaks of a majority which they have mechanically added up; the citizens did not vote for the Alliance," the letter said. The truth is that the HDZ has gained the majority of 36.5% of the vote; individually, all other parties have won much less: the Social Democratic Party (SDP) 18.6%, the Croatian Social Liberal Party (HSLS) 12.8%, the Croatian Peasants' Party (HSS) 8.1%, the Croatian Party of Rights (HSP) 6.5%, the Croatian Social Democratic Action (ASH) 6.5% and the Croatian Peoples' Party (HND) 5.2% of the vote." "We have suggested that the Zagreb mayor be a member of the HDZ, as a party which won the majority of votes, that the chairman of the City Council be a member of the second strongest party, and the deputy mayor a member of the third strongest party, and that all city and county bodies be established in accordance with the election results". "After refusing HDZ's suggestion for setting up city authorities in this way, which is undoubtedly democratic, the seven opposition parties resorted to demagogic trics, presenting themselves to the citizens of Zagreb and the international public as the coalition which represented the will of the electorate. In the process, they obscured the fact that the public gave their votes to individual parties and not to an unnatural alliance which was pieced together anyhow after the election." The letter questions the goal of forming "such an incongruous coalition embracing the whole gamut of parties from the extreme left to the extreme right, with incompatible political views and programs.". There were numerous influential European factors which made Croatia's integration into Europe conditional upon its maintaining close links with other countries of the former Yugoslavia and the Balkans, the letter says. "As the HDZ with its president and its program - which emphasizes a sovereign Croatia in Central Europe - represents the main hindrance to the realization of such plans, it is necessary to bring down the HDZ, first in the capital, and then, in the whole country, together with its President, within two to three years!" "It should be pointed out that the concerted efforts for the destabilization of the internal political situation, began after Croatia - through its political and military successes - changed the strategic balance, becoming a regional power in a friendly partnership with the main world power - the United States. This is not in line with the plans and views of many people." "This is reality, not something fabricated to create internal and external enemies. Because of Croatia's future, our duty is present these facts to the Croatian public, the whole nation, parties and politicians, so that nobody can have the excuse of not being informed." "It is understandable that in such circumstances the President of the Republic - who, under the Constitution, has the duty to ensure the existence and regular functioning of the state authority - could not approve the appointment of the candidates of the Opposition Alliance to the post of Zagreb mayor." All candidates are members of the HSLS which has been planning to destabilize the overall state authority since the end of 1993, the letter notes. The present HSLS leader, Vlado Gotovac, "had called, together with a group of sympathizers, for the resignation of the Croatian President." By denying the legitimacy of the President's appointment of Marina Matulovic Dropulic as Mayor, the chairman of the City Council, Zdravko Tomac, and the mayor appointed by the Council, Drazen Budisa, showed "blatant disrespect of the constitutional and legal system, including the decisions of the President and head of state," the letter said. (hina) lm jn 291951 MET mar 96