Mesić: I took Polančec as a decent human being

Polančec is a drowning man clutching at a straw, but a short one, therefore he has to procure himself a life-belt and certainly not a straw

President Stjepan Mesić reported on Sunday to the media representatives in Sinj that Damir Polančec, who resigned on Friday to the Government vice-president position, is a drowning man clutching at a straw.

- This gentleman is is a drowning man clutching at a straw, but a short one, therefore he has to procure himself a life-belt and not a straw - said Mesić responding to the journalist inquiries regarding yesterday's accusation  imputed by Polančec that even the president Mesić was involved with the Podravka credit issued to the SMS company. - I really feel sorry for that man. I took him as the decent human being - said Mesić.

Mesić repeated that the SMS CEO (Srđan Mladinić) told him he's not in a position to apply for a Podravka credit given he's already indebted for 65 million kunas, which only means that this debenture originates from the earlier days. - I have no notion on this case in general, therefore nothing to witness on - told Mesić responding to the question whether he will testify in the Court of law if necessary, or he rather prefers a classical police statement on the Podravka file.

Questioned about whether he ever imputed on anyone in Podravka to help Srđan Mladinić, Mesić retorted negatively. - Srđan Mladinić was right beside me so I told him to phone to "Podravka" and ask them for help, and they refused him given the fact there's already a 65 million kunas debenture - told Mesić. - I wouldn't know who provided the credit for whom, under what conditions and the credit rate - emphasized Mesić.

Commenting on the latest Polančec's accusations on his account, Mesić responded he never spoke to Polančec anywhere on any kind of business deals, except for the fact that he told him it wouldn't be any good that the 'Badel' company is owned by the Slovenians, and that the better solution will be if it's purchased by the Croatian owner.

- Who on earth would be his own (Polančec) group of associates....there are some deans mentioned, and some other people with whom he worked together quite well. Nevertheless, he will have the opportunity to vindicate his own postures somewhere else - kazao je Mesić. Questioned to comment the statement by the former parliamentary representative Joško Kontić who mentioned Mesić's name in the "Večernji list" privatisation file, president Mesić refused Kontić's allegations.

- I'm stating here the first round of privatisation when a group of people purchased Večernji list, after Ivić Pašalić says to Tuđman - and the same thing is quoted in the transcripts - Mister President, we've purchased Večernji list but we kinda masked it as a general national purchase, so no one will ever find out that Večernji list is owned by HDZ - told Mesić.

He also stated that the alleged bidders of Večernji List were "Montmontaža" general manager and another two to three companies. The president didn't mention any names. According to Mesić's explanation "Styria" purchased Večernji list from "these very owners".

- Styria asserted they've nothing against the idea of continuing the criminal procedure against the group of individuals who previously covered the first round of privatisation. But, most certainly I wouldn't know if I have to picture it to mr Kontić, now would I? - said Mesić.