ZAGREB, Feb 19 (Hina) - Croatian Prime Minister Ivica Racan said Monday he does not fear possible early elections, but stressed they would not be particularly useful for Croatia at this time. Personally, as prime minister and
president of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), I do not fear elections. In fact, we could call them now, but let the HDZ (Croatian Democratic Union, largest opposition party) have no illusion of it having most citizens on its side, Racan told Croatia's national radio. Early elections would in the present circumstances be a luxury causing "a standstill" for three, four months. Many problems cannot afford daily postponement, let alone on a monthly basis, Racan said, reiterating his lack of fear in case of possible early elections, should citizens opt for them in a referendum. I do not fear the elections nor their results. If they have to be held, I would want them to be
ZAGREB, Feb 19 (Hina) - Croatian Prime Minister Ivica Racan said
Monday he does not fear possible early elections, but stressed they
would not be particularly useful for Croatia at this time.
Personally, as prime minister and president of the Social
Democratic Party (SDP), I do not fear elections. In fact, we could
call them now, but let the HDZ (Croatian Democratic Union, largest
opposition party) have no illusion of it having most citizens on its
side, Racan told Croatia's national radio.
Early elections would in the present circumstances be a luxury
causing "a standstill" for three, four months. Many problems cannot
afford daily postponement, let alone on a monthly basis, Racan
said, reiterating his lack of fear in case of possible early
elections, should citizens opt for them in a referendum.
I do not fear the elections nor their results. If they have to be
held, I would want them to be held within two, three months, the
Prime Minister asserted.
Asked who should call a referendum with the issue of early
elections, Racan said "probably the extremist section of the HDZ
which says this government must fall one way or the other". They are
exerting all efforts to gain support for early elections, however,
most citizens of this country do not feel the same, the Prime
Minister stressed.
The Prime Minister also stressed that an international arrest
warrant has not been issued after retired general Mirko Norac.
General Norac has been accused of having ordered the elimination of
groups of citizens of Serb nationality in Pazariste, Lipova Glavica
and Karlobag (central Croatia) in October 1991, during Croatia's
defence war. The Prime Minister said it was important that all
Croatian citizens, including general Norac, respected the justice
system.
The Prime Minister also commented on a letter forwarded by retired
general to the Croatian parliament last week. Racan agrees that
there is a need for the establishment of an institute for the
scholarly research and collection of documentation about Croatia's
war for independence.
The Prime Minister believes this is a good idea and he personally
supports its. He also expressed a believe the idea would be
implemented within next several says.
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