CROATIA: Most Croats appeared sanguine yesterday over the postponement of talks to join the European Union, despite warnings of political instability and a backlash against Brussels.
While Prime Minister Ivo Sanader criticised the EU's decision to delay the start of accession talks, because of the continuing mystery over the where-abouts of the country's most wanted war crimes suspect, President Stipe Mesic and others urged patience.
"We should not be desperate, but carry on our work on meeting conditions," Mr Mesic said. "I believe we will show in a short period of time that we are credible in doing everything we can, that our co-operation [with the UN war crimes tribunal] is full."
In an interview with The Irish Times last week, Mr Mesic said the postponement of the talks would only be a minor setback, and that Croatia had an "open door" to the EU once it had proved that it was doing its best to track down Gen Ante Gotovina. But while financial analysts saw little danger in the delay, political commentators wondered whether pressure could now mount on Mr Sanader's government.
"In the worst case scenario, this could destabilise HDZ party, boost nationalists and anti-EU forces. But more realistically, everyone will just calm down. Democracy is stable, the state is stable," said analyst Zeljko Trkanjec.
Recent opinion polls show that barely 30 per cent of the Croatians expect benefits from EU entry, but most support accession as a way to avoid slipping away from Europe towards Bosnia and Serbia-Montenegro.
But the majority of Croats think it is not a question of "if" but "when" they join the EU. "The EU needs us and not the other way round," said Smilja Galatovic, a teacher.
