ZAGREB, Dec 28 (Hina) - Croatian President Stjepan Mesic said he and Prime Minister Ivica Racan reached agreement on a set of military issues at a meeting on Friday.
ZAGREB, Dec 28 (Hina) - Croatian President Stjepan Mesic said he and
Prime Minister Ivica Racan reached agreement on a set of military
issues at a meeting on Friday. #L#
"We had an excellent meeting today. We have completely resolved a
set of military issues," Mesic said in an interview on Croatian
Television, adding the meeting was important for the further
democratisation and depoliticisation of the army and the police.
Croatian citizens want to feel safe and that can be achieved with
full parliamentary control over the army and the police, he said.
The President said his cooperation with Racan was good.
He reiterated the importance of all political forces in the country
reaching a consensus on important development issues and added
Croatia's priority was integration in the European Union and NATO.
Mesic believes the ruling coalition will survive until the regular
election.
The positive effects of the government's unpopular measures will be
felt only next year, and particularly in 2003, Mesic said, adding
significant progress in all areas could be expected only then.
For this goal to be achieved, the Opposition should give its
contribution as well and work constructively and cooperate with the
ruling coalition, he said.
Croatia's priority is admission to the EU, which is "our fate and
wish," and therefore one should support cooperation with the
International Monetary Fund and the Agreement on Stabilisation and
Association, which lead Croatia in that direction, he said.
The fear of new Balkan associations should be forgotten for good,
because if we are joining NATO, we are definitely not returning to
Yugoslavia, the President said.
He supported the consistent fulfilment of international
obligations and full cooperation with the Hague war crimes
tribunal, saying only the individualisation of crimes could free a
nation of collective guilt.
Mesic also advocated the resolution of open issues with
neighbouring countries, the normalisation of relations with
Yugoslavia and the settlement of border and other disputes with
Slovenia. Speaking about Bosnia-Herzegovina, Mesic said he
supported efforts aimed at making all three nations constituent on
the entire territory of Bosnia-Herzegovina as well as the
strengthening of the country's central institutions of authority.
Stressing the importance of foreign investments, Mesic said that
during this year's visits to ten foreign countries he had tried to
inform foreign financial circles about investment possibilities in
Croatia, which, he claims, has become a safe zone.
If tracking down terrorists and discovering the channels through
which they are being financed is possible, wiretapping should be
allowed despite the fact that it constitutes a violation of civil
rights, Mesic said, explaining a statement given during his recent
visit to Great Britain, which he described as his most successful
visit in 2001.
He reiterated that every state, regardless of its size, should
contribute to the fight against terrorism. Drawing a paralel
between the anti-terrorist and the anti-fascist coalition, Mesic
said terrorism and fascism were the greatest threats to
civilisation.
Asked whether he was considering running for the post of president a
second time, Mesic said: "Should my health be as it is now, I see no
reason why I should not consider another mandate."
(hina) sb rml