With reference to Mr. Ivo Sanader's interview in yesterday Dnevnik Plus at the Croatian Television...

With reference to Mr. Ivo Sanader's interview in yesterday Dnevnik Plus at the Croatian Television, and allegations published in Jutarnji list on 10 December, and Globus on 12 December, the Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to point out that by publishing unverified information, attempts are made to misrepresent the situation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Minister Picula, unlike his predecessor, introduced at the beginning of his mandate, an in-house procedure for filling diplomatic and administrative vacancies in diplomatic missions and consular offices of the Republic of Croatia with a view to introducing more transparency and authenticity in the system of assignment of diplomatic and administrative work posts.

Therefore, twice a year, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs conducts a regular procedure for filling vacancies in diplomatic missions and consular offices, and there are no grounds for any accusation that the Foreign Ministry, in its in-house procedure of 8 September, was led by political interests.

In accordance with this and pursuant to para 2, Article 47 of the Foreign Service In-house Rules, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs adopted a decision on 8 September 2003, to conduct a procedure for filling ten vacancies for diplomatic work posts for which nine candidates were chosen, and a procedure for seven administrative work posts for which three candidates were chosen. In accordance with the regular procedure, the said officials were referred to attend preparations at the Diplomatic Academy, upon the termination of which, some of them were referred to their new assignments.

Further, based on Articles 4, 17 and 80 of the Law on State Government Officials and Civil Servants, the Foreign Ministry issued a job advertisement in Večernji list, Slobodna Dalmacija and Novi list of 29 March 2002 and Official Gazette of the Republic of Croatia No. 31 of 27 March 2002, on vacancies for 22 interns. Twenty interns were employed for the period of 16 moths for internship. Upon the termination of their internship and a positive assessment of their mentors, 17 interns were employed for full time at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 4 November 2003.

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