NEWS WATCH: Croatia Facing Turmoil as Prime Minister Suddenly Resigns
Friday, July 3, 2009 (6:06 pm)
By Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Europe Bureau Chief
Bos report
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Sanader told reporters he decided to withdraw from politics after two decades not for health reasons, but because he wanted a new beginning in his life. He said important goals were realized under his leadership.
Prime Minister Sanader explained he is satisfied with "the strategic objectives that were achieved." He said Croatia "became a member of NATO, the U.N. Security Council and is now on the doorstep to become a full member of the European Union."
EU TALKS
Sanader said that despite his resignation, negotiations on EU membership could be completed within three months. The prime minister says he had the honor to serve the people in politics, but he added: "My job has been done, my political life ends now."
Sanader made it clear he would not run for president in early 2010. He recommended that Croatian President Stipe Mesic name Deputy Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor to be the new prime minister.
Commentators have warned Sanader's sudden departure will leave a political vacuum at a time when Croatia already faces instability because of the global financial crisis.
Croatia's economy is not doing well and unemployment has risen steadily. The country's gross domestic product plunged 6.7 percent in the first three months of this year, the largest drop in a decade. In addition EU entry talks are currently stalled because of Croatia's border dispute with neighbor Slovenia.
REFORMS NEEDED
European Union officials have urged Croatia to settle Sanader's succession "rapidly" and to continue with reforms needed to join the European Union.
That view is shared by neighboring Hungary, one of the most vocal supporters of Croatian EU membership.
Hungarian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zsuzsanna Matrai told BosNewsLife her country finds it crucial for Croatia to join the Union soon to create more stability in the Balkans.
"To help them, that is why we keep on giving advise [to Croatia] how to integrate, how to harmonize their legal system," said Matrai. "We have always advocated for any kind of enlargement. Given our geographical situation we have been advocating the whole Western Balkan region, including Croatia."
But the Hungarian Prime Minister's Office confirmed to Worthy News and its partner agencty BosNewsLife that a key meeting of the Croatian and Hungarian governments scheduled for Friday, has been canceled because of Sanader's sudden resignation.
Croatia's opposition Social Democrats have said the political turmoil shows it is time for early elections. The next parliamentary poll is scheduled in two years.(This Worthy News story also airs via the Voice of America network. www.voanews.com).
Bos report
Download (MP3)
ZAGREB, CROATIA (Worthy News) -- Croatia is facing political turmoil, after Prime Minister Ivo Sanader suddenly resigned, citing personal reasons. Sanader's announcement comes amid economic concerns in the country that has been trying to join the European Union.
He unexpectedly announced his resignation at a hastily arranged news conference. The 56-year-old leader of the Croatian Democratic Union party had been prime minister since 2003.
Sanader told reporters he decided to withdraw from politics after two decades not for health reasons, but because he wanted a new beginning in his life. He said important goals were realized under his leadership.
Prime Minister Sanader explained he is satisfied with "the strategic objectives that were achieved." He said Croatia "became a member of NATO, the U.N. Security Council and is now on the doorstep to become a full member of the European Union."
EU TALKS
Sanader said that despite his resignation, negotiations on EU membership could be completed within three months. The prime minister says he had the honor to serve the people in politics, but he added: "My job has been done, my political life ends now."
Sanader made it clear he would not run for president in early 2010. He recommended that Croatian President Stipe Mesic name Deputy Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor to be the new prime minister.
Commentators have warned Sanader's sudden departure will leave a political vacuum at a time when Croatia already faces instability because of the global financial crisis.
Croatia's economy is not doing well and unemployment has risen steadily. The country's gross domestic product plunged 6.7 percent in the first three months of this year, the largest drop in a decade. In addition EU entry talks are currently stalled because of Croatia's border dispute with neighbor Slovenia.
REFORMS NEEDED
European Union officials have urged Croatia to settle Sanader's succession "rapidly" and to continue with reforms needed to join the European Union.
That view is shared by neighboring Hungary, one of the most vocal supporters of Croatian EU membership.
Hungarian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zsuzsanna Matrai told BosNewsLife her country finds it crucial for Croatia to join the Union soon to create more stability in the Balkans.
"To help them, that is why we keep on giving advise [to Croatia] how to integrate, how to harmonize their legal system," said Matrai. "We have always advocated for any kind of enlargement. Given our geographical situation we have been advocating the whole Western Balkan region, including Croatia."
But the Hungarian Prime Minister's Office confirmed to Worthy News and its partner agencty BosNewsLife that a key meeting of the Croatian and Hungarian governments scheduled for Friday, has been canceled because of Sanader's sudden resignation.
Croatia's opposition Social Democrats have said the political turmoil shows it is time for early elections. The next parliamentary poll is scheduled in two years.(This Worthy News story also airs via the Voice of America network. www.voanews.com).
Copyright 2009 Worthy News. All rights reserved.
This is an open forum. Any opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of Worthy News, or its parent ministry Worthy Ministries.
Increase
Decrease
I have a feeling this is going to set a precedence that will lead to an even more prominent movement toward this one world gov’t stuff. I have a feeling, there were forces behind the scenes that prompted this and that Sanader was coerced into this. For some reason . . . Bilderberg, TriLateral and other organizations come to mind right now . . .
Am in Florida, I read yesterday a Diplomat in Europe said it would be embarrising to not be able to show Obama a United Europe. He was refferring to the land disputes between Croatia, Slovenia, etc. The Diplomat is very mistaken if he thinks we are “United” in the States. Obama does not at all have support from the Southern States, “Dixie” and the Diplomat should speak the truth, we are not United at all over here, the Diplomat should not try to press Europe to kiss Obama’s Arse. We fly the Flag of the Confederate States of America over here, Croatians formed Croatian Regiments over here during our Civil War and they are honored here and fought with my family in Battle for Dixie. Washington DC is trying to force us all into becoming Negroes and Mexicans over here by completely destroying our identity, and I will not agree. Long live Croatia.
{{{… to continue with reforms needed to join the European Union …}}}
Hope
“Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;”
Psalms 33:18
In God Alone
“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:”
“By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”
Romans 5:1-2
For Jesus Saves
“And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
Revelation 1:5
God Provides
“Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?”
“(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.”
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
“Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”
Matthew 6:31-34
Trust Him
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
John 3:16
And Be Blessed Beloved Of The KING
Love, Joe