PRIME MINISTER RACAN PRESENTS GOVERNMENT PROGRAMME

Croatian Prime Minister Ivica Racan presented a Government programme for the next four years to the Croatian National Sabor's House of Representatives (on Februar 9th).

Completing the presentation, Racan suggested a number of

conclusions which express the basic guidelines of the Government.

1. The situation encountered in all areas of the country's economic

and social life requires full mobilisation of each individual,

association, company, body of state administration and local self-

government, as well as responsible, tolerant and creative work of

all in the next four years.

2. We will ensure a rational and fair management of tax payers'

money, as well as economic development and social dialogue. The

year 2000 will be the year of austerity, the year in which sound

foundations for economic development and equal social development

in the coming period will be laid. Priorities in capital

investments will be re-examined.

3. In the course of 2000, an economic strategy of the country will be

prepared.

4. Another goal is the establishment of a civil, parliamentary and

democratic society. This will help Croatia join the community of

modern and democratic states.

5. We emphasise our strong commitment to enable that Croatia join

the European Union in the shortest possible period. We want to join

the first group of potential EU member-states as early as 2000.

6. We shall depoliticise the army and police. We shall gradually

reduce army and police expenditure and increase funds for

education, culture and science.

7. This Government will do all it can to preserve and upgrade the

basic social rights of Croatian citizens.

8. The establishment of a fake social peace is not our goal. Social

peace has to be truly based on common awareness and the will to

jointly find a way out of share the burden of huge social and

economic problems.

9. Croatia's social reality is burdened by a high level of different

forms of social pathology, anti-social behaviour, corruption,

bribery and social insensibility, black labour, unpaid labour and

trampled human dignity. We strongly oppose the continuation of such

a situation and shall take all necessary measures to stop this and

change the situation to the benefit of protection of the law,

lawfulness, and dignity of every human being.

10. We shall implement the will of citizens to build a society of

equal opportunities and equality of all citizens before the law. We

shall see that minority rights are exercised, and secure equal

rights for all displaced people in the process of their return,

regardless of nationality or religion. We shall seek from the

international community an equal treatment and assistance for all

displaced people.

11. We wish to restore Croatia's credibility by respecting

obligations that have been taken over. This Government wants to act

in international relations in line with the support it was given by

Croatian citizens. We are determined to change not only Croatia's

image, but also its position in the international community.

In a global environment which is characterised by interdependence,

Croatia's geo-political position as a link between Central Europe,

the Mediterranean and the Balkans puts before us the challenge of

changing the region marked by conflicts and intolerance into a

region of peace and cooperation.

12. We acknowledge the fact that Bosnia-Herzegovina is an

independent state. We respect its territorial integrity. On the

basis of equality and mutual respect, we are ready to support

Bosnia-Herzegovina's wish to become a modern and prosperous

European state which will guarantee human rights to every

individual, as well as equality to its three constituent peoples on

the whole of its territory.

13. We call on our neighbours to improve our cooperation on the

basis of equality and partnership. We are willing to improve

economic and political cooperation with countries in transition,

and to cooperate in resolving transition problems. We are also

willing to improve political and economic cooperation with the

United States, Russia, China and other countries.

14. We want to tell the international community that we are ready to

base mutual relations on international standards and agreements,

on the basis of equality and partnership. We are willing to take

over our share of responsibility for security and stability in this

part of Europe. For us, Europe is much more than a geographic term.

The sense of responsibility for our common European fate is not

contrary to our sense of loyalty to the tradition of our own

nation.

15. The project of the Stability Pact brings hope that peace and

integration, rather than conflicts and isolation, will be the

future of Europe's Southeast. Therefore, we want to participate in

the Pact actively and creatively.

16. We shall continue the process of privatisation, as well as the

development of market economy. We will amend the current and

establish a new legislation, alleviate the tax burden and make

Croatia interesting to investors.

17. We shall build a responsible and fair authority, stimulate

tolerance, cooperation and creativity, as well as joint

responsibility for Croatia's progress. We will create a

stimulative environment for the development of the media and

implement the project of a public television.

18. Despite the difficult financial situation, with maximum

engagement of all, it will be possible to secure growth,

development and progress, and better days for all Croatian

citizens.

At the end of his speech, Racan said the programme was drawn up for a

period of four years. That is why it contained only the basic

guidelines and contents. The programme lacks many things,

primarily systematic and concrete measures for individual

problems. This is why a dynamic development of the programme, by

year and strategic question, will be proposed later, he said.