PAZIN, 20 April (Hina) - Leaders of the Istrian Democratic Assembly (IDS), President Ivan Jakovcic and Vice President Damir Kajin, held a press conference in Pazin on Saturday at which they informed reporters about the conclusions of
the last night's session of the IDS Council. The IDS Council confirmed the postponement of a referendum on the continuation of construction of the coal-fired thermal power plant Plomin 2. The IDS would inform citizens about the decision of the Istria County Assembly through panels and public meetings.
PAZIN, 20 April (Hina) - Leaders of the Istrian Democratic Assembly
(IDS), President Ivan Jakovcic and Vice President Damir Kajin, held
a press conference in Pazin on Saturday at which they informed
reporters about the conclusions of the last night's session of the
IDS Council. The IDS Council confirmed the postponement of a
referendum on the continuation of construction of the coal-fired
thermal power plant Plomin 2. The IDS would inform citizens about
the decision of the Istria County Assembly through panels and
public meetings. #L#
According to IDS President Ivan Jakovcic, the Government
wanted to prevent the referendum at all costs. This was proved by
the fact that the decision on the ban had been reached two days
ago, Jakovcic added.
'We have information that Education and Sports Minister Ljilja
Vokic has made it clear to all directors of schools in which
polling places were to be opened that they would have to face
consequences after the referendum. We also have information that
pressure was to be exerted on electoral committees by the police',
Jakovcic said.
The problem of Plomin 2 represented not only an ecological
question of the Labin area and Istria, but it was becoming a
political problem in Croatia. According to the IDS leaders, the
Government was convinced that the referendum would have a positive
outcome, otherwise it would not have banned it. That was exactly
why the referendum was a political success, the IDS leaders said.
The issue of the referendum did not represent a new conflict
between Istria and Zagreb, but a conflict between those who want to
make decisions about their own fate and those who want to impose
their own will on others.
The Istria County would use all civilisation and legal forms
of expression of disagreement with the decision of the Ministry of
Construction and Urban Development.
The IDS was organizing together with other Istrian political
parties the signing of a petition on the freedom of media and
rights of the Italian minority.
(hina) rm
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