CROATIA'S PRESIDENT MESIC TAKES OATH - EXTENDED

ZAGREB, Feb 18 (Hina) - The new Croatian President Stjepan Mesic on Friday took a solemn oath before the president of the Croatian Constitutional Court Smiljko Sokol. Stjepan Mesic, Croatia's second President, was elected in the presidential run-off ballot on February 7. Mesic, aged 66, was elected for a term of five years. The inauguration ceremony, which lasted about 15 minutes, took place in a sun-bathed St. Mark's Square in Zagreb's historical core, in the presence of numerous officials, citizens, and some 70 foreign delegations, including 12 heads of state and three premiers. #L# Taking the oath, Mesic said he would perform his duties conscientiously and responsibly, to the benefit of the Croatian people and all Croatian citizens. "As the leaders of the Croatian state I will abide by the Constitution and laws and see that Croatia's constitutional and legal system is respected as well as watch over regular and just operation of all bodies of state authority and protect the independence and unity of the Croatian state," Mesic said. In an inauguration speech which followed, Mesic judged the presence of many foreign delegations as another gesture of wide international support for the policy of democratic turnaround. He expressed a wish for cooperation with all those in the international community who see Croatia as a partner and friend. The President also announced that he would cooperate closely with the Croatian National Sabor and Government. "I wish to fully contribute to the realisation of the Program of Changes proposed by the Government and adopted by the Croatian National Parliament," Mesic said. Mesic promised to take special care of all the Homeland War participants and members of their families and do everything to contribute to the return of displaced persons to their homes in safety and dignity. "As the President of the State I will act in accordance with my constitutional powers against social injustice, crime and corruption and against all forms of abuse of power." Croatia wants to live in peace and cooperation with its neighbours, Mesic said. "We shall do everything we can to contribute to making this entire geographical and political region stable and secure, democratic and prosperous." "We shall respect our international obligations... let us act together and let us act determinedly, so that Croatia becomes a member of the European union and NATO as soon as possible." "Such a prosperous Croatia can and must be the best support to the Croatian people as one of the three constituent peoples in the neighbouring Bosnia and Herzegovina, and to the Croatian national minorities in other countries as well," Mesic said, mentioning also Croatian emigrants and the assistance they provided in the establishment of the Croatian state and urging them to cooperate with their mother country. At the end of his inauguration speech, Mesic called on all Croatian citizens to open a new path for Croatia as a democratic and successful country by working together. Upon the completion of the ceremony, Mesic received congratulations by his family, high Croatian officials, religious dignitaries, figures from Croatia's cultural, scientific and public life, his rivals in the presidential campaign, and numerous friends and associates. The ceremony was covered by some 350 foreign and domestic reporters. Stjepan Mesic is the second Croatian president since the country gained independence. From 1990 to 1999, Croatia was led by Franjo Tudjman, who was elected president on two occasions, in 1992 and 1997. (hina) jn rml