Croatian rock star's controversial San Jose appearance

One of Croatia's hottest rock stars is scheduled to play at an offbeat venue in San Jose on Sunday, despite an international protest from the Simon Wiesenthal Center, a prominent Jewish humanitarian agency dedicated to fighting anti-Semitism, racism and genocide.

Marko Perkovic, 42, is slated to play at the Arc of Willow Glen, a banquet hall that seats about 300.

But while he sings to thunderous crowds of about 50,000 in southern Europe, he also has been criticized for what some say is his tacit support of fans who show up at his European concerts wearing T-shirts with fascist symbols and perform a Nazi salute.

Perkovic's concerts in Cleveland and Toronto were canceled, largely due to pressure by the Wiesenthal center. He did perform at alternate venues just outside both cities. Perkovic is better known by his stage name, "Thompson," for the type of submachine gun he used while serving in the Croatian army.

"If this were me, and I were accused of what he's been accused of, I'd want to set the record straight really fast," said Mark Weitzman, the New York director of the Simon Wiesenthal Center's task force against hate.

Weitzman stops short of calling Perkovic a neo-Nazi or Nazi sympathizer, but he says his "passive acceptance" of some fans who are apparently Nazi-leaning "seems to be creating an environment where fans are glorifying fascism and he doesn't seen to be telling them 'no.' "

But Perkovic has spoken out against fascism, according to George Corluka, who managed the singer's New York concerts. Perkovic does not speak English, and so Corluka said he was speaking on the singer's behalf.

"He hasn't been silent about this controversy," said an e-mail Corluka sent to the Mercury News on Friday. "At every concert Marko states that he is not a fascist or a Nazi, nor does he support them."

Corluka's e-mail also implied that Perkovic is the victim of a smear campaign concocted, perhaps, by Serbians who deplore anything that has to do with Croatian nationalism.

Perkovic kicked off his North American tour Nov. 2. San Jose appears as the last stop listed on his Web site.

Members of San Jose's Croatian Catholic Church helped arrange the visit for the band that sometimes sounds a bit like Iron Maiden, and sometimes like an ethnic folk rock band.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, about 4,000 residents claim Croatian ancestry in Santa Clara County. Many are hurt that their community's image is being tarnished by claims about a pop idol who, they argue, is simply passionate about his country.

"We would not bring him here if these things were true," said church council president Aldo Stemberga of Menlo Park. "They are all lies."

There have been no reports in the United States of neo-Nazi behavior or large counterprotests surrounding Perkovic's music.

One of the most recent controversial flash points was a huge June concert in Croatia's capital, Zagreb, where fans were seen sporting Ustasha T-shirts and other paraphernalia. The Ustasha were Croatian fascists and Nazi collaborators during World War II.

In an article in the International Herald Tribune following the concert, Perkovic told the reporter that he had never raised his own arm to make a fascist salute. Nor, he said, did he encourage people to wear Ustasha uniforms. As for the Ustasha slogan he uses, he said it was a traditional Croatian saying that predated World War II.

But critics argue that Perkovic should tell fans, emphatically, at his concerts that if they salute Hitler, or wear Ustasha T-shirts, he doesn't want them there. They ask whether fans could imagine Mick Jagger or Billy Joel allowing this type of behavior, and not speaking out against it.

The Wiesenthal center also pointed to Perkovic's 2002 performance of "Jasanovic/Stara Gardinska," a song Weitzman says venerates concentration camps where thousands of Jews, Serbs and gypsies died. The agency also points to some YouTube videos that use Perkovic music overlaid with photos displaying fans wearing neo-Nazi garb.

But Croatian-American Irena Ukalovic-Halsey, 39, of Los Altos Hills has translated Perkovic's songs into English. They are not hateful, she said.

And she notes that the YouTube videos aren't Perkovic's doing or, necessarily, his responsibility. She also wonders whether, in a crowd of 50,000 this past summer, Perkovic would have noticed a small group raising hands in a Hitler salute. She said some of her relatives attended the concert and didn't see any of this behavior. This issue is important, and has been a source of internal conflict for her, she said, because she's proud of her birthplace, but is also friends with Jews. And so Ukalovic-Halsey and her Croatian au pair are going to Sunday's concert, at $45 a pop, to witness the band for themselves.

"I do like his music," she said. "I like his message of unity and patriotism that he sends. If there was an ounce of bigotry or anti-Semitism that I noticed, there's no way in this world that I would go. My research has not proven any of the allegations to be true. I want to see for myself, and I imagine that I'll find nothing."

But Weitzman, from the Wiesenthal Center, said Perkovic will be on his best behavior on tour in North America, including his stop in San Jose. He added that he hopes this will be the singer's "future direction."

England's Owen out of Euro qualifier against Croatia

England striker Michael Owen is set to miss Wednesday's crucial Euro 2008 Group E qualifier against Croatia at Wembley after an injury.

Owen pulled up with a thigh injury after shooting at goal 34 minutes into England's 1-0 friendly win over Austria on Friday and motioned to the bench to take him off.

Peter Crouch scored the winner for England against Austria in an international friendly at the Ernst Happel Stadion, Vienna. The goal came in the 44th minute.

England are already missing captain John Terry and forward Wayne Rooney because of injuries while central defender Rio Ferdinand is suspended for the Croatia match.

A draw for Croatia and a win for the Russians would effectively end England's qualifying hopes and make Wednesday's encounter with the group leaders all but meaningless.

Brazil's national soccer team, Ronaldinho travel to Peru

In Rio de Janerio (Brazil), Brazil's national soccer team and its star player Ronaldinho, recovering from injury, travelled Friday to Peru to get ready to play their World Cup qualifier game against its Peruvian counterpart on Sunday.

Ronaldinho, twice named Federation of International Football Associations' (FIFA) Player of the Year, is recovering from an injury suffered in a game for Spain's Barcelona soccer club.

"It is less swollen," the striker said in a televised interview Friday before departing to Peru. "We're in the final phase of treatment. I still don't have full confidence, and in some movements it still hurts, but there's still time until the game. I think I'm going to play."

Brazil tied 0-0 against Colombia and defeated Ecuador 5-0 in its two previous qualifier games.

Brazil's soccer team, five times World Soccer Cup champions, trail leader Argentina by two points in the 10-nation South American qualifying tournament. Brazil next faces Uruguay on Wednesday in Sao Paulo.

In Canberra (Australia), Dutchman Dick Advocaat has turned down offers from Football Federation Australia to coach the Socceroos for next year's World Cup qualifiers, local reports said Saturday.

The FFA is reportedly holding crisis talks this weekend after Advocaat, who was set to be confirmed in the role this weekend after attending Australia's friendly against Nigeria in London, knocked back an offer to coach the national team.

Just 81 days before Australia's opening World Cup qualifier in February, the FFA has to renew its search for a coach and find a big-name overseas coach to replace Dutchman Guus Hiddink.

Reports said Advocaat has accepted a new deal to remain with Russian club Zenit St Petersburg, said to be worth $3.6 million a year.

Advocaat coached the Netherlands at the 1994 World Cup and also guided South Korea to the 2006 finals. He has also won club titles with PSV Eindhoven and Glasgow Rangers.

England's confidence has been downfall, says Bilic

The Croatia coach Slaven Bilic has attributed England's struggle to qualify for Euro 2008 to being "a bit too self-confident".

England need other results to go their way and must beat Croatia, who lead Group E, next Wednesday if they are to reach the finals in Austria and Switzerland next summer.

And the former West Ham United defender told today's Football Focus on BBC1: "The group was difficult. Maybe your approach was a little bit too self-confident in this campaign."

Bilic suggests England may have under-estimated some of their Group E opponents.

"Because it is not easy to come to Croatia and to get something from a game. It is not easy to play in Russia. It is not easy to play Macedonia.

"And it's very difficult to play in Tel Aviv. So maybe you were expecting you were to cruise the group, but it's a very difficult group."

Bilic did, however, lend his support to his England counterpart Steve McClaren, saying: "As a club manager you need a couple of years to make or build a team. In a national team you need three or four years because you do not have them every day. You have them once a month for five days.

"It's not Steve McClaren's fault and I really feel for him and hope he is going to continue."

Croatian property 'not ideal for investment'

An expert has commented that Croatia is more suited to holiday homes than property investment.

Mark Tweddle, chief analyst at Property Secrets, said Croatia does not offer good finance options, meaning investors could be forced to buy using cash.

Furthermore, the country is not popular among retirees, he continued, as the cold winters make it unsuitable.

Those investors looking for higher returns could be better advised to look to the markets of the Czech Republic, Bulgaria and Romania, said Mr Tweddle.

It could help if Croatia were to be admitted to the EU, he commented, adding: "You have had other countries join [the EU] in the last few years where you have got much more low risk, better finance, better rental [opportunity] and a stronger economy."

However, according to Dream Croatia, specialists in property throughout the country, the number of tourists holidaying to Croatia has been increasing since 1995.

It claims that in 2002, over 120,000 British and Irish tourists travelled to Croatia.

Goran Visnjic Acknowledges Daughter Lana

Actor Goran Visnjic has acknowledged that he is the father of 8-month-old Lana Lourdes, without having a DNA test performed. Although he had several opportunities to arrive to Croatia for testing paternity, the actor decided to acknowledge the girl as his daughter.

Visnjic also committed to paying a 9,000 kuna monthly alimony. The child’s mother, Mirela Rupic, requested an alimony of 10,000 kuna, so the final amount will be decided at a court hearing scheduled for November 27.

Children Washing Fashion Industry’s Laundry

Many fashion industry companies have stationed their production in developing countries, which implies cheap workforce, raw material and location.

Gap: children work for children

People and the media were shocked by last month’s announcement by The Observer that the known American brand Gap was exploiting underage children in its factory in India. The shocking fact is that their workforce is younger than ten years of age and are working in unacceptable conditions for up to 19 hours a day without any financial compensation – so they could produce clothes for the brand that is known for its campaigns using celebrities such as Madonna, Sarah Jessica Parker, Helena Christensen and Alek Wek.

Fashion companies that soiled their reputations by exploiting children as labour force are: Nike, Levi Strauss, Reebok, Puma, Adidas, Ralph Lauren.
The American fashion company Gap has in the past two years suffered a significant drop in the sale of their clothes. Only in April this year their sales decreased by 16 percent.

Ironing wrinkled reputation

Ashamed by the report, Gap pledged strict control of their textile factories in India in a bid to prevent the exploitation of children. They also announced an investment of 200,000 dollars to improve working conditions and announced an international press conference next year to announce their solutions regarding the problem of children exploitation.

The company’s president, Marka Hansen, addressed consumers with an open letter stating that children who worked for Gap in New Delhi would be paid until they reach the age for legal labour, when they will offer them jobs.

They will also receive wages and the education they deserve, says the letter Marka sent to companies’ web sites.

Subcontractors serve the industry for washing hands

Bhuwan Ribhu, the founder of the New Delhi nongovernmental organisation Backpan Andolan, applauded the suggestion that child labour in India be made illegal. They said they believed child workforce will be eliminated. That is a good start, he said. Is organisation cares for 14 children younger than 14 years of age who were taken by police from the Gap factory at the end of October. The children will remain in the children’s home pending the completion of the investigation and the court’s certificate approving their return to their home villages in western Bengal.

We firmly believe that it is not acceptable for children to work at clothes lines. The reports are very disturbing and we are taking the situation very seriously. All of our distributors and their subcontractors are obliged to guarantee that they will not use children as workforce in production. In this situation, it is evident that one of our distributors breached the agreement and a full investigation is underway, gap’s spokesman said after the media published evidence last month. Last year Gap cancelled contracts with 23 factories, claiming they did not meet the business conditions.

Shireen Miller, the leader of the Save the Children organisation, said it was the Gap’s responsibility to check on production conditions and entire production chains, even the fields where cotton is produced for their products.

According to official sources, the number of children working in India is 12 million, while unofficial sources speculate the number in fact reaches 60 million. Laws in India ban the employment of children younger than 14 at risky jobs, which includes jobs in the textile industry.

In Croatia workers are exploited in free zones

According to the Croatian Alliance of Independent Unions, there are no recorded cases of exploiting children in the fashion industry in Croatia, but there were still such cases in other sectors.

- In the textile industry there is no exploitation of underage children because there are not enough jobs even for the older. The textile industry in Croatia is sinking, it has been reduced to a third of what it used to be. But the exploitation of children has been recorded in bakeries (mostly with Albanian owners), the sale of goods on stands, beggary and car washing (with the Roma) – president of the Alliance, Ana Knezevic, said.

However, she stressed that Croatia did have a problem that workers in free zones face.

- The purpose of free zones has been exploited very much: better conditions, no customs fees, no taxes and of course, not paying workers in line with the law. As far as the production of Benetton near Osijek is concerned, there was a strike last year – Knezevic added.

Croatia allows work after 15 years of age, that is, after completed primary school.

A new slice of Pi

Croatian artist won privilege of drawing for illustrated version of Yann Martel's novel

In 2005, Tomislav Torjanac received an email in his small mountainside town in rural Croatia informing him that a U.K. publisher had launched a worldwide competition to commission artwork for a proposed illustrated edition of Life of Pi, the internationally celebrated novel by Canadian writer Yann Martel.

The slimness of the odds of winning, given how widely the net was being cast, wasn't the initial cause of Torjanac's reticence.

"I'm not a fan of competitions," says Torjanac during a phone conversation from his home in Orahovica, population 5,000. "I'm not a competitive person by nature. But my apprehension was outweighed by my love for Yann's book.

"I love the introspective quality of the writing and the fact that it allows for multiple interpretations of its plot and the message it conveys. And, dare I say, the book is very painterly, so that certainly helped."

Torjanac's willingness to set aside any qualms, enabling him to emerge from an original field of 1,600 aspirants, is a welcome outcome, not only to admirers of Martel's imaginative yarn but also to book illustration enthusiasts. The new edition, in stores now, is stunning.

"In a sense, Tomislav won quite easily," says Martel, who will discuss the project publicly at Harbourfront Centre's Brigantine Room Tuesday as part of the International Readings series. "First of all, there was the painterliness of his style. You could see the swirls of the brush. You could see ridges of paint. I really liked that. I liked the physicality.

"What we liked was the point of view of seeing everything from Pi's perspective. You never see Pi. In the novel, Pi is never described. It's a first-person narrative. Pi is looking out. So if you had an illustration that looked at him, it would reverse the gaze of the novel."

The novel's first incarnation enjoyed a phenomenal run in its own right. Life of Pi, originally published in Canada in 2001, has sold more than 6 million copies in 40 languages and won the Man Booker Prize in 2002. It tells the story of a teenager, named Pi, who survives a shipwreck during his family's emigration from India to Canada and is forced to survive in a lifeboat for more than 200 days in the company of an adult Royal Bengal tiger.

The idea of coming out with an illustrated version of the book was proposed by Martel's U.K. publisher, Jamie Byng of Canongate, who ended up serving with the author and others on the final selection committee, after the entries were winnowed to 60 and, later, six finalists.

"Some of the people had a brilliant vision for one or two of the illustrations but didn't quite have the narrative stamina to recount the whole story. They ran out of steam," recalls Martel, talking by phone from a literary festival in Mexico.

The author and the artist worked closely together on the process, deciding which scenes to depict. In all, the text features 40 illustrations, from full-page artworks to smaller representations. Torjanac's process marries traditional oil painting with digitization. The visibility of the brushwork is a standout characteristic of his work.

"I paint with oil on a board," he explains. "Then I take a digital photo of the result. I have this graphic tablet, which is like a cordless mouse that looks like a mouse. It enables me to do some colour corrections, add some detail, stuff like that.

"We tried not to overcrowd the book with illustrations. My intention was to complement the book, not to compete with it."

Mission accomplished, in the mind of the author.

"The illustrations complement the text, capturing the spirit of it in a different language," Martel says. "In a sense, it's symphonic. It's like you're reading the prose and that's one instrument, let's say the violins, and then with the illustrations you have the burst of the trumpets."

Owen ruled out of Croatia tie

Michael Owen has been ruled out of England's match against Croatia on Wednesday after sustaining a strained thigh against Austria last night.

The Newcastle striker pulled-up 34 minutes into the match in Vienna and was replaced by Jermaine Defoe.

England coach Steve McClaren revealed after the game that Owen would not be fit enough to take part in the potentially vital Euro 2008 qualifier against Croatia.

McClaren is already without Wayne Rooney, who was injured in training earlier this week, and the coach admitted Owen's absence would be "a massive blow".

He added: "It was a strange one, it was Michael's standing foot. He's pulled his thigh and unfortunately he's out."

But McClaren claims he has belief in the strikers who will replace the injured pair on Wednesday night.

He said: "We believe we can win on Wednesday without our two centre-forwards, and there is enough in that dressing room, enough spirit, that we can do it.

England will also be without their first-choice centre-backs John Terry and Rio Ferdinand, but the manager says that the squad must pull together.

The under-pressure manager said that while there were still games to go he had not given up hope of qualifying and retained the belief that Wednesday's encounter would still be a meaningful match.

Defoe is now likely to partner Peter Crouch in attack for the match against Croatia while McClaren will pick between Sol Campbell, Joleon Lescott and Micah Richards to form the centre of his defence.

HNS` Just Society and Four Reform Projects

Programme of HNS president Vesna Pusic and Radimir Cacic promises powerful growth and development of Croatia.

We present you the main guidelines of Croatian People`s Party (HNS), taken from their official web site.

HNS` Fourfoil – reform project for new Croatia

Organisation of democratic institutions in the past 15 years has been accompanied by a powerful role of the state and politics, unjust and disruptive privatisation, mass impovernment of the citizens and the disappearance of the middle class as a base of a stable and free society. In this period, HNS – liberal democrats, were a step ahead in advocating high standards when it came to the protection of human rights and the values of liberal democracy.

Positions on the necessity of civil state developing with all citizens being politically equal, regardless of their ethnic background, European orientation and institutional organisation, as well as co-operation with the neighbours, region countries and strategies of exiting war and post-war traumas, based on recognising, individualising and processing responsibility and guilt for crimes committed during the war, have all become general standards in Croatian politics, accepted by all relevant political parties.

Today, when we face new challenges and possibilities, HNS is again opening new spaces and offering new solutions through four reform projects:

JUST SOCIETY

NEW SOVEREIGNTY

DECENTRALISATION

RAPID ECONOMIC GROWTH

Common denominator for HNS` developing political goals is CROATIA OF A POWERFUL AND STABLE MIDDLE CLASS.

Powerful middle class means a stable and advanced country, dynamic economy, high level and freedom of scientific and cultural creativity, as well as the awareness of inalienable dignity and freedom of citizens.

Just society

HNS – liberal democrats will strongly insist in the upcoming period on the forgotten or lost distinction of a just society with equal chances, determining minimum standards that Croatia must ensure in order to organise a just society for all its citizens.

A just society means good and articulate laws, new public administration directed at citizens and their private and business needs, the disappearance of corruption, personal and business certainty and equality before the law.

Special attention will be directed at:

The right to work and income sufficient for a decent living, availability of health care for all citizens, availability of all levels of educations (free transport for pupils, students` loans=, just pensions which are sufficient for a decent living (the same pension conditions – the same amount of pension), social protection with a guaranteed minimum of life necessities, social tickets and articulate social rights and incomes, rights of the disabled according to their level of disability and not the way it should be treated, measures against corruption, especially in judiciary and public administration, as well as equal development of Croatia.

New Croatian sovereignty

By Croatia approaching full European Union and NATO membership, a new approach has been opened when it comes to sovereignty and the possibilities and resources of independent administration. Therefore, determining strategic systems and special policies within them is one of the fundamental issues Croatia will realise management based on national interests when it comes to redefining its own sovereignty.

The most important ones are: managing territory (agricultural land, coast and islands), national parks, nature parks and protected landscapes, cultural-historic cores of settlements), environmental protection, self-efficiency when it comes to producing foods, maintaining sovereignty over fundamental natural resources (exports of drinking water, mine wealth, forests), managing money flows (monetary sovereignty, possibility of leverage on the banking market), managing energy sources (distribution of electric energy, oil pipelines and gas pipelines, renewable energy sources)and managing large infrastructure systems (roads, telecommunications, systems of links).

Decentralisation of authorisations, resources and education

From a decentralised country where around 50 percent of budget resources was locally collected and spent at the beginning of 90`s (where local authorities elected chiefs of police) the Republic of Croatia has turned into a highly centralised country where more than 90 percent of resources poured down and was spent (in conformity with such policy in ministries, primary school headmasters were appointed, as well as headmasters of other educational, health and cultural institutions).

HNS has been advocating decentralisation of authorisations, resources and education for a long time, as well as the subsidiarity, according to which spheres are set on that level where they can be best realised.

HNS places special attention to:

Decentralisation of authorities and resources in education, health, social care, culture, spatial planning, traffic and utility services infrastructure where the strength of local and regional self-administration would double at least in the first step; equal regional development as an expression of geographical, economic, traffic, historic and cultural special features of Croatian regions and a generator of increasing total strength of the country; more just distribution of tax money with total income from income tax going to regional and local self-administration and all income from profit tax to central state administration; creating regional centres of excellence and regional development agencies as preconditions for decentralisation of education and taking over authorisations on local levels; change of electoral law that will enable direct election of local and regional leadership and more powerful participation of citizens in administration.

Rapid economic growth

It will not be possible to realise any of the previously mentioned goals without a rapid economic growth in the minimum amount of 6 percent per year and the state taking over where such growth cannot be realised without it.

The state much create conditions for increased productivity, competition and efficiency of the economy, improvement of educational and expert quality of population able for work and a 50 percent increase of citizens with university degrees, with special emphasis on improving the quality of managers and the development of managerial education.

The development of infrastructure is essential as a basic precondition of the economic development, as well as the informatisation and restructuring of state administration.

Key assignment for the state is to ensure conditions for free and stable entrepreneurial activities with the following measures:

Defining and stimulating those types of entrepreneurialship and economic activities that have greatest chances of succeeding in every region as well as in microregions, clear and stimulating tax system, developing models of public-private partnership on a state and local level and mobilising capital which is not included in the budget (real estate market, pre-accession funds), stimulating export (especially of small land medium companied on international markets), solving the status and making agricultural lands function, as well as real estate that is not being used due to ownership relations not being solved, unique and envisioned land policy and a model of protection ad development of the coast zone, measures of monetary policy in the function of economic growth, clear and efficient legal and jurisdictional system, efficient public administration, clear rules and supervision of market tenders; creating an economic environment for the increase of interest of potential foreign direct investors for Greenfield and Brownfield investments.

Ancic confirmed for 08 Heineken Open

Mario Ancic, the 2006 finalist at the Heineken Open and a former top-10 ranked player who reached an ATP high of No 7 in July 2006 has confirmed he will play at January's 2008 Heineken Open.

The 23-year-old has a current ATP entry ranking of 86 and will be granted a wildcard if required by Heineken Open tournament director, Graham Pearce.

If there's a bizarre injury situation or bad luck story for a tennis player over the past two years Ancic was involved in it.

The Croat missed nearly six months of 2007 due to illness, but still managed to reach two quarter-finals including the Tennis Masters event at Madrid where he beat James Blake but lost to Novak Djokovic. The previous week he had also reached a quarter, this time at Stockholm.

There were other good individual victories throughout the year including a win over Tommy Haas at the Masters Series tournament in Cincinnati and a fourth round appearance at the Australian Open where he beat Dominik Hrbaty in the third round but lost an epic battle in five sets to Andy Roddick in his next match.

It was in Marseille against Andreas Seppi that things started to go wrong for Ancic as he retired with mononucleosis until August.

He returned at Masters Series at Montreal but withdrew from tournament play at the US Open a few weeks later with a shoulder injury.

At the 2008 Heineken Open he is wanting to start afresh and put all injury problems behind him in what will be his fourth appearance in Auckland.

He first played in 2004 where he beat New Zealander Simon Rea but lost in the second round to Rafael Nadal.

Two years later their were victories over Mark Nielsen, Andy Murray, Fernando Gonzalez and Stanislas Wawrinka before being beaten in the final by an in-form Jarkko Nieminen.

Early this year at the Heineken Open Ancic won his first round over Czech, Lukas Rosol but lost to Mardy Fish in the second round.

"Mario is a great talent to have coming back to the Sovereign singles at the Heineken Open. He has a huge amount of talent and has proved his popularity with crowds at the tournament. Not only has he excelled in Grand Slams during his career he is a former finalist at the Heineken Open.

"Mario has been top-10 and is also a wonderful ambassador for his sport. He will be keen to use the tournament as a staging point for a full year on the ATP circuit without any health problems," says Heineken Open tournament director, Graham Pearce.

The past history of Ancic is rich with success from an early age. He practiced with countryman Goran ivanisevic from 10-years-old and still has the record as the last man to beat Roger Federer at Wimbledon - first round 2002.

His best performance in Grand Slams has been at Wimbledon where he made the semis in 2004 (lost Roddick) and the quarters two years later (lost Federer). He also reached the quarters on clay at Roland Garros in 2006 (Federer).

He has three career singles titles to his credit including a repeat win on grass at 'shertogenbosch and a title at St Petersburg.

In 2006 he spent time off the circuit due to a knee injury sustained from a jet skiing accident in Croatia and also suffered a back injury.

He played in the 2005 Davis Cup winning Croatian team and has a sister, Sanja who plays on the WTA circuit.

The Heineken Open featuring the Sovereign singles and doubles will be held at the ASB Tennis Centre, January 7 - 12, 2008 with the first two days of qualifying January 5 - 6, 2008 at the Albany Tennis Park, Oteha Valley Road, Albany starting at 10am each day.

The 2008 tournament will feature live scoring as well as live streaming of play and audio podcasts.

International seminar on sustainable energy

A seminar on sustainable energy development at a regional level has been held to foster an exchange of experiences and views between the regional authorities of Europe’s maritime periphery on a number of political and administrative issues.

The seminar was organised in Croatia by the EU’s Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions (CPMR). Malta was represented by Giovanna Debono, Minister for Gozo.

Mrs Debono addressed the seminar on the second day, saying that Gozo shared similar challenges with other island regions but in addition it had the added challenge of double insularity. She said that Gozo was totally dependent on mainland Malta for its energy supply and was well connected to it.

She said that a sustainable energy policy for Europe was important, as it not only ensured a secure and environmentally-sound energy supply, but also aimed to reduce dependence on imported energy and sought to replace it by locally-available renewable energy sources. Initiatives to reduce energy demand coupled with investment in clean and more eco-efficient technology also contributed to this objective, as well as to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

The EU, she said, should take a flexible approach to the issue of renewable energy – an approach which takes due account of the specificities and realities of island regions, especially when setting benchmarks and targets, and emphasised the need for CPMR to continue to foster the exchange of experiences and best practice as this enabled regions to learn from each other.

The CPMR was set up in 1973 comprising around 30 regions. Today, more than 150 regions from 26 countries, representing more than 170 million people, make up the CPMR. It is divided in six geographical commissions including the Islands’ Commission and the Inter-Mediterranean Commission, of which Gozo is an active member.

Police hold Canadian accused of war crimes in Croatia in Michigan jail

A Canadian accused of Croatian war crimes against civilians is to be held without bond in a Michigan jail pending a hearing next month.

Goran Pavic, 42, was arrested Wednesday after crossing the Ambassador Bridge into Detroit. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection service said the trucker's name was on an Interpol list of Serbs wanted for war crimes by the Croatian government.

The U.S. government wants to extradite Pavic to face charges. But his attorney questions whether a valid extradition treaty is in effect and whether alleged war crimes are subject to that treaty.

A U.S. Magistrate judge set a Dec. 4 hearing on the issue.

Two battle fronts will be on parade at Wembley before Croatia match

British troops will make a lap of honour at Wembley during England's Euro 2008 qualifier against Croatia next Wednesday. The service men and women, who have all recently returned from Iraq and Afghanistan, will parade before the game.

The event has been organised by the British Forces Foundation which says it will allow the crowds to thank the army, navy and air force personnel publicly for their efforts in the Middle East. Images from the parade will be relayed to troops serving overseas.

Mark Cann, the director of the foundation which stages overseas troop entertainment, said: "We at the British Forces Foundation do not pass judgment on the rights and wrongs of wars but do think the people who serve their country, on behalf of governments the public elect, deserve the utmost respect and appreciation for what they do. We are enormously grateful to the Football Association for starting the scheme."

Geoff Thompson, the FA's chairman, said: "Where better than the national stadium, before our national team takes the field, for us to show our appreciation of not just the select few with us at the match, but British men and women serving their country around the world?"

Meanwhile, the 1966 World Cup winner George Cohen has launched a withering attack on England under Steve McClaren, branding the current crisis as "absurd". Cohen is distraught at England's struggle to qualify for Euro 2008, accusing the players of lacking passion and calling for McClaren to be replaced. The former Fulham full-back also claims the influx of foreign players has crippled the national team.

"I hope we get through but it's absurd that we are struggling to progress from this group," he said. "Qualification should have been a matter of course but what is obvious now is that we're not as good as we were. We have been awful.

"Ordinary teams give us hard work. Some of them are no better than Championship sides and the fact we can't see them off is unacceptable. I find it upsetting when I watch this England team. Look at the sides we play - some of them are genuine third-world countries. We should be beating some of these sides hands down. They don't want to play badly, but you can't say they're up for it. They don't look enthusiastic.

"McClaren's position becomes untenable if England fail to qualify. If they gave Sir Alf Ramsey the sack, they can get rid of this guy. He's been around the England team for several years, yet in the last four major competitions we've been outrageously poor. Morale is obviously poor and that's down to the manager. We look depressed. McClaren just has plan A, there's no plan B. I'd appoint Martin O'Neill as his replacement - if he wants the job. He'd be strong enough to tell the players they're not giving enough, doing enough or maybe not even good enough."

Cohen is convinced the influx of overseas players is responsible for England's shortcomings and predicts more doom and gloom for the future. "For many years we've been bringing too many foreign players in. It's helped our league tremendously but it's done nothing for our youth or England teams. We've been saying this for 15 years that we'd get to this point. Even Sir Alf Ramsey said we've got too many foreign players coming in and he could see what was going to happen."

Greece u21 1/1 vs. Croatia u21

This is a U21 qualification match between Greece and Croatia.

I am from croatia and i will tell you some big news for this match which is important why i will go on Greece here.

Croatia will miss many many important players like:
Ilicevic - he is important and best player in Croatia u21 squad, he dont have replacement and his miss is huge problem from Croatia team, he is playmaker, heart of this team
Kalinic - best scorer in croatia league and important and best striker in croatia u21 team, without him croatia will have much less chance to score here.
Lovren - stone of defense in squad, apsolutely important part of defense and without him croatia squad iwll have wholes in match and in defense
Sharbini - best player in Rijeka squad, same profile like ilicevic, big form he is and one more big miss in our team
Prahic, Ipsa - this players are also regular in our defense and without them i dont need to say what it will looks like
Madzukic - player who become star this season, one of best player in this team he is called in A squad so no chacne to be here

This is 7 regular players from croatia u21 team, that is more than HALF team and that is huge problem in croatia team.
Without them they are at least 60% poorest team than they are so Greece are hugeee favourite here in this match.
I see only one winner here and that is home team, i give them huge chance here for win with this problem in Croatia team.

Russia considering Croatia's arrest warrant for ex-Yugo general

Russia is «considering technical issues» regarding a Croatian arrest warrant against an ex-Yugoslav army general who reportedly lives in Moscow, a senior official was quoted as saying Friday.
Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Zhukov did not say whether Gen. Veljko Kadijevic, Yugoslavia's last defense minister and a key player in the
country's bloody breakup, would be handed over to Croatia, B92 television reported.
«Our institutions are considering the technical issues,» Zhukov was quoted as saying by the Belgrade-based TV station. «This has recently come up and there are no complications.
He gave no other details.
Zhukov was in the Serbian capital Friday for meetings with Belgrade officials.
Croatia accuses Kadijevic of war crimes in eastern Croatia, where his Yugoslav army troops bombed several towns, reducing some to rubble and forcing thousands to flee their homes.
About 10,000 people were killed in the Croatian war, which ended in 1995.

Kadijevic denied the accusations in an interview this week on Serbian state television, filmed in Moscow.
Croatian Justice Minister Ana Lovrin has said she expects Russian police to arrest Kadijevic, if he lives there.
Kadijevic, a longtime general in the communist-run former Yugoslavia, is known to have had close ties to the Russian military.

Taylor expecing Barry recall for Croatia clash

GRAHAM Taylor believes Gareth Barry will be back in an England starting berth at Wembley next week.

Barry has been rested in Austria tonight after a series of impressive diaplays,with Frank Lamp-ard preferred.

Former Villa and England boss Taylor believes it is with a view to Wednesday's potentially critical Croatia game.

"To me it suggests he will play against Croatia," Taylor said. "I can't see Steve McClaren playing his full team against Austria, though they may all be involved.

"I think Gareth has done enough in the last few games not to have to play in a friendly to prove himself.

"While I've never been of the opinion that Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard can't play together - England have won more matches with them than they have lost - Gareth's natural left-foot does give the team balance in central midfield."

Joe Royle, the former Manchester City manager, had a similar interpretation.

"I'd be surprised if Barry is dropped," said Royle. "He has been one of the few successes of late - even against Russia I thought he did okay.

"I feel a bit sorry for him if he's out. But next week's match is more important."

Former Blues and England legend Trevor Francis believes David Beckham could eventually be the fall guy on what would be his 100th cap.

"I couldn't understand why Lampard was dropped so I'm not going to argue he shouldn't come back," said Francis. "But Barry has played so well for England he does not warrant being left out.

"I would play all three and leave out Beckham, who no longer plays top-level football. Every player would like to win 100 caps but you cannot pick an international team on sentiment."

Barry himself said recently: "The pressure is always there with England no matter what happened in the last game.

"Fans at Villa expect me to perform at high levels every week anyway so it is no different for my country.

"There is no way I would ever take my place for granted with England.

"Not even world class players who have been around the scene for five to 10 years do that so it would be silly for me to do that."

England striker Owen out of Croatia match

England striker Michael Owen has been ruled out of Wednesday's potentially crucial Euro 2008 Group E qualifier against Croatia at Wembley.

Owen pulled up with a thigh injury after shooting at goal 34 minutes into England's 1-0 friendly win over Austria on Friday and motioned to the bench to take him off.

"It's a massive blow," manager Steve McClaren told Sky Sports. "Injuries are part of football and unfortunately I do believe we'll need to win on Wednesday to qualify and we go in without two centre halves and two centre forwards."

England are already missing captain John Terry and forward Wayne Rooney because of injuries while central defender Rio Ferdinand is suspended for the Croatia match.

McClaren's men can only watch on Saturday when their group rivals Croatia and Russia face Macedonia and Israel respectively.

A draw for Croatia and a win for the Russians would effectively end England's qualifying hopes and make Wednesday's encounter with the group leaders all but meaningless.

Euro 2008: Who can qualify?

Fancy predicting who will be at Euro 2008 in the summer?

Confused as to the permutations involved?

How do Scotland qualify? Is Steve McClaren right to remain defiant? Can Northern Ireland give Fernando Torres and co an unwanted summer break?

Read below as setantasports.com spells out the possible scenarios ahead of the final two rounds of Euro 2008 qualifiers, as well as providing links to our individual match previews.

Group A:

The last thing a journalist needs on a Friday morning is a conundrum like Group A, where four teams can still qualify.
Poland are in the driving seat and can guarantee their place in Austria and Switzerland with just one win from their last two games, which are Belgium(h) and then Serbia(a).
Portugal will also fancy their chances of booking a ticket for the summer, with four points out of a possible six against Armenia(h) and Finland(h) necessary to make them uncatchable in Group A.
Anything less would bring Serbia and Finland into contention, who are currently three points behind Luis Felipe Scolari’s men in the table.
Finland’s game in Portugal is the one to look out for. After drawing in Helsinki a Finland win would eliminate the Portuguese providing the Finns also triumph over bottom nation Azerbaijan, setting up a complicated and unpredictable ‘mini-league’ with Serbia should they beat Kazakhstan(h) and Poland(h).

Group B:

Quite simply, everything comes down to Scotland’s massive qualifier at home to Italy as Group B reaches a thrilling crescendo.
A Scotland win guarantees their place in Euro 2008. Italy would then need France to lose in Ukraine to keep their hopes alive when they meet Faroe Islands.
An Italy win eliminates Alex McLeish’s Scotland.
A draw eliminates Scotland if France avoid defeat in Ukraine and Italy do likewise against the Faroes.
However, Scotland could still qualify with a draw if France lose, courtesy of their better head-to-head record.

Group C

With Greece already through Group C comes down to a straight shoot-out between Norway and Turkey.
Thankfully for drama fans, the pair meet on Saturday in a winner-takes-all contest.
Assuming both sides win their final matches with Malta(a) and Bosnia-Herzegovina(h) respectively, Norway will qualify by avoiding defeat in Oslo. Turkey must win.

Group D

One would fancy Germany and Czech Republic to go through from this group. They are seven points clear with two games remaining – it would take something special to mess that up.

Wales and Republic of Ireland meet in a game has no real significance, save for pride.

Group E

Time for the mathematics that Steve McClaren must know better than how to get to the job centre.
If Croatia win or draw in Macedonia, they qualify regardless of their final day trip to Wembley.
If Russia win in Israel and at home to Andorra, they qualify also.
England need one of these two scenarios not to happen, meaning they can rescue a dire situation with victory over Croatia.

England are playing Austria in a friendly on Friday night as they wait for their fate to become clear.

Group F

Table toppers Sweden need one point from games against Spain(a) and Latvia(h) to guarantee their place in the European Championships, although they will instantly qualify if Northern Ireland fail to win both their matches against Denmark(h) and Spain(a).
Nigel Worthington’s men must win both matches and then hope Sweden fail to pick up any points, or Spain lose their home encounter with…Sweden.
Spain need one victory to rubber stamp their place in the summer tournament, while Denmark must win games against Northern Ireland(a) and Iceland(h) and hope Spain are left pointless in their final two matches.

Group G

With Romania through all focus is on Marco van Basten’s Holland side, who need just one win to see off the challenge of Bulgaria.
Holland play the group’s worst two sides, Luxembourg(h) and Belarus(a), so Bulgaria will be holding out little hope of qualification.
Should the unthinkable happen and Holland pick up less than two points, Bulgaria could progress with wins over Romania(h) and Slovenia(a)

Audiobooks – Listening and Reading

Legendary US sit com “Friends” featured a sketch in which Chandler tries to quit smoking and plays a tape before bed time, persuading him to get rid of this bad habit. A problem arose: the tape was intended for women so we spent the next half hour screaming with laughter, following our crazed hero who was suddenly faced with his feminine side. And when Joey added a part to the tape where he persuades Chandler to make him sandwiches every day? Unforgettable…

Apart from its humour, this episode remained in the back of our heads as one of the first encounters with audiobooks, recordings of texts.

Listen to what I am reading

Audiobooks are made like songs by your favourite bands are. They are recorded in a studio and then released on CD`s, cassettes or are offered for downloading online. Often, even though not always, they are read by the author, and if the author does not have a pleasant voice, then a famous hot shot from the radio or film world jumps in. Such a recording, instead of chapters in the printed version, is divided into many smaller recordings, lasting up to several minutes so that the listener might continue “reading” as desired.

In practice, audiobooks are not that different from your average album. You simply place the desired book in your stereo or mobile player and press “play”. It is up to you and your listening concentration. As most people are used to absorbing information visually, as least as books go, often a period of adjustment to the new audio format is necessary.

I am listening to what I want

Recorded books follow the colourful variety of their printed counterparts when it comes to themes, therefore apart from various self-help texts, you can find world`s greatest fiction hits as audio editions. Apart from recording previously printed editions, certain companies, like the BBC for example, release only audio editions. Still, this is rare.

Audiobooks are not too common or popular, as far as Croatia goes, at least, but the situation is a bit different in the world. The world audiobook market is worth billions of dollars and versions that can simply be downloaded online are most popular versions. Such distribution format is most simple for the publishers, who do not have to worry about the quality of CD`s for instance, but for the listeners as well, especially today when almost every mobile phone has a build in MP3 player.

I am listening to you as an open book

Such form of releasing texts seemed unnecessary to many at first. Books in printed form have been around for centuries, and even the blind, who seem to be the ideal focus group for audiobooks, have their printed editions that are “read” with fingers. Still, the situation is not that simple. When a user posted a comment on a forum, stating he never takes the printed versions, but uses audiobooks exclusively, he was attacked by most of other users who defended the “sanctity” of the printed book. With this even the hard core audiophiles proved that the printed book will probably never be out of style. But when the same user explained he has a reading disorder, and that the audio editions are the only way to enjoy literature, mass apologising occurred.

The main purpose of audiobooks is not just to help people with special needs, but to enable “healthy” individuals to enjoy literature that is impossible to use as “ordinary” books. Audiobooks are listened to while driving, at work, at all the special places where most people listen to music.

Still, audiobooks are not for everyone. Many will find it hard to get used to listening to texts or simply do not like the voice of the person reading a certain edition.

Bombardier gets US$62M order for amphibious planes from Croatian government

Bombardier Inc. (TSX:BBD.B) said Thursday that the Croatian government has placed a US$62-million order for two more amphibious firefighting aircraft.

The contract will bring the Croatian fleet of Bombardier 415 planes to six.

The latest sale includes spare parts, pilot training and equipment enabling the aircraft to perform medical evacuations and emergency relief.

"The Bombardier 415 is - by its special design concept - an efficient and highly productive firefighting aircraft and is the reference in the industry," stated Michel Bourgeois, president of Bombardier's amphibious division.

"With the addition of our multipurpose equipment, it has the flexibility to be used for more purposes than fighting fires."

Bombardier has delivered 65 of the amphibious planes to Croatia, France, Greece, Italy, Ontario, Quebec and Spain since they entered the market in 1994. Forty-one are in operation in the Mediterranean region and took part in fighting devastating fires in southern Europe last summer, capable of completing up to nine water drops per hour.

In addition, 25 older CL-215 aircraft remain in service fighting fires in Europe.

Bombardier's volatile shares were down 21 cents or 3.8 per cent to $5.31 Thursday afternoon on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

Another Balkan war?

The Serbs in Bosnia and Kosovo have threatened to restart the Balkan wars in Bosnia-Herzegovina that destroyed the Former Yugoslavia in the 1990s if the United Nations grants independence to the disputed region of Kosovo.
These threats from the Serbs to make war in one location (Bosnia) because they do not get what they want in another place (Kosovo) is a terrible indication of the terror-minded Serb population and political leadership as it was similar types of statements that caused and started the most inhumane wars in this half of the century as the Serbs began their campaigns of national slaughter which have changed the world and caused many more problems including a radicalisation of militant Muslims worldwide as well as desperate situations all across South Eastern Europe. The Serbs are represented as half of Bosnia’s population, although they live in their own separate region in Bosnia, and are a violent but shrinking segment of the Kosovo population. Recent alarming statements from Serb leaders and paramilitaries have promised violence and killing if the Kosovo question is answered.
Can the world tolerate, and will the world benefit from, another terrible bout of extreme violence and murder from the Serbs, or will the world and particularly the United States be harmed diplomatically and militarily or financially if the Serbs carry out their plans of violence and ethnic slaughter reminiscent of the 1991-1995 wars in Bosnia and Croatia and in Kosovo in 1999?
The US will most likely suffer diplomatically, militarily and financially if the Serbs re-ignite their campaigns of violence, ethnic killing and beastly behavior against any groups in Bosnia, Kosovo or Croatia. Years of American peacekeeping as well as tens of billions of dollars will de destroyed by the Serbs’ extreme violence and ethnic hate.

Kalinic ruled out for Croatia

Croatia have been handed a blow with the news that Hajduk Split striker Nikola Kalinic will not be available for the Euro 2008 qualifying double-header against Macedonia and England.

A knee injury has curtailed his involvement, with coach Slaven Bilic moving to call-up Dinamo Zagreb forward Mario Mandzukic as his replacement.

Mandzukic was in line to play for the Under 21 side but has now been promoted to the senior ranks.

"I'm sorry I had to take Mandzukic from Under 21 manager Drazen Ladic because I know he is an important player for them," said Bilic.

"But we have to secure our Euro 2008 spot.

"I need four healthy forwards, and because Igor Budan and Bosko Balaban are injured and Mladen Petric will only start training on Wednesday, I had to call him."

Croatia's squad contains Manchester City defender Vedran Corluka, Portsmouth midfielder Niko Kranjcar and Arsenal striker Eduardo.

Full squad:

Pletikosa (Spartak Moscow), Runje (Lens), Galinovic (Panathinaikos), Simic, Robert Kovac (Borussia Dortmund), Josip Simunic (Hertha Berlin), Corluka (Manchester City), Drpic (Dinamo Zagreb), Kenezevic (Livorno), Vejic (Tomsk), Leko (Monaco), Babic (Real Betis), Srna (Shakhtar Donetsk), Modric (Dinamo Zagreb), Vranjes (Werder Bremen), Pranjic (Heerenveen), Kranjcar (Portsmouth), Vukojevic (Dinamo Zagreb), Niko Kovac (Salzburg), Petric (Borussia Dortmund), Olic (Hamburg), Eduardo (Arsenal), Rakitic (Schalke), Mandzukic (Dinamo Zagreb).

Bilić ready to achieve finals goal

Croatia coach Slaven Bilić says his side are ready to go as they look for the point against F.Y.R. Macedonia on Saturday that would confirm their place at UEFA EURO 2008™.

'Strong desire'
"We're ready," Bilić told uefa.com. "We have a strong desire, motivation and great character which should ensure we make it." Croatia top Group E with two games to play and will want to celebrate qualification ahead of Wednesday's final match against England at Wembley.

Nervousness
Bilić has been his usual open and talkative self in the build-up to the game in Skopje – but with the finish line in sight, the 39-year-old was showing slight signs of nerves. Will their new favourites' tag weigh heavily on Croatia? Bilić's team had to come from behind to win the home leg in March, waiting until the 87th minute for Eduardo da Silva's deciding goal. Which suggests the absence this weekend of F.Y.R. Macedonia's star striker Goran Pandev will not remove the sting from a competitive Balkan derby.

'Strong team'
"Of course I'm glad that Goran Pandev isn't playing," Bilić said. "He's a great player and Macedonia look weaker without him on paper. But it won't make our job much easier. Even without Pandev, they are a good and strong team. I don't want to talk about England. We're only thinking about Macedonia and we will prepare the same way for both matches."

Defensive strength
Bilić was capped 44 times by Croatia during a seven-year international career. He developed a formidable central defensive partnership with Igor Štimac which was the cornerstone of Croatia's successes at EURO '96™ and the 1998 FIFA World Cup. The current side are following in that tradition, with only the Netherlands and France having conceded fewer goals in qualifying – three to Croatia's four – a source of pride for the former HNK Hajduk Split centre-back.

'Proud'
"I'm proud, not only as a former defender, but also because the defence is the basis of every successful team," he said. "We play attacking football, more than half our team are attack-minded, and we can play attacking football precisely because we have a good defence which opens up a number of options. We have not just conceded few goals, we have also limited our opponents to few opportunities."

Special atmosphere
Should Croatia prevail in Skopje, they will likely deprive England, a country with a population ten times greater than their own, of a place in Austria and Switzerland. Croatia may not have the largest pool of players to choose from, but according to Bilić their continued success should come as no surprise. "We have always had great players and great talent. In addition we always have a great spirit. We have a special kind of passion that we feel in our national team. I'm not saying other teams don't have it, but it's something special in our team."

Economy and Politics in Croatia

See if you can guess which leading Croatian prime ministerial candidate made the following statements.

Is it Ivo Sanader, the incumbent whose crowning achievement has been to re-brand his Croatian Democratic Union, HDZ as an internationally-minded, market-friendly party of the European centre-right? Or is it Ljubo Jurcic, prime ministerial candidate of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, comradeship of ex-communists, party of the red rose?

On Croatia’s response to globalisation: “We need to remember, we are 12 hours from Silicon Valley, and we are 12 hours from Tokyo.”

On taxes: “We have to prepare the atmosphere for tax cuts.”

On labour policy: “Croatia should have a freer, more flexible labour market including free movement of workers… and this also means importing labour.”

On work ethic: “In Croatia now there is a cult of idleness. We cannot be better off if we do not start to work harder. The government should create an atmosphere for this. It is a psychological, sociological problem.”

On industrial policy: “Yesterday I visited a state-owned company that dries fruit. The capacity of the company is enough for all of Europe, but its amortisation is too high. It cannot cover administrative costs. I asked them if they had a business plan. No business plan. Basically, they had been lazy. In my approach there is no money for a company like this, because there is no future. It’s a sunk cost – finito.”

On how to boost long-term economic stability: “We need to create conditions for a free market, for competition. Competition is the key.”

On whom he would bring into his cabinet, if given the choice of any economist in the world: “It would be Maurice McTigue. He was minister in seven ministries in New Zealand. He is a man who reformed New Zealand from a situation like Croatia’s today, with a high external debt. He is the most acknowledged expert worldwide in this area today."

McTigue, a former businessman and pragmatic anti-socialist, became a hero of free-market economists when he entered government, made huge cuts to New Zealand’s state workforce, slashed agricultural subsidies to zero, shredded the rulebook of big government and put New Zealand to work, sending productivity and profitability heavenward.

If you guessed that these quotes come from Sanader, you were wrong.

Jurcic, the Social Democrat, made the first six statements in a lengthy sit-down interview with the Financial Times, during which he looked ahead to economic reforms he would embrace if his party prevails in closely-fought parliamentary elections on November 25. His praise of McTigue came later, in an interview with Vecernji List, the Croatian daily.

What do we make of this?

The idealist’s hope is that Jurcic means what he says – that he actually wants to rattle Croatia’s status quo by “levelling the playing field”, empowering individuals and the private sector, discarding disincentives to competitiveness and disrupting official corruption.

The cynic’s presumption is that Jurcic, like every politician, wants to be all things to all people. To anti-socialists who believe that individual liberty extends into the economic sphere, he offers soundbites like those above. To anti-HDZers, he is equally happy to challenge the status quo. Yet to others including SDP lefties and undecided voters – many of whom want jobs and stability above all – he offers contradictory ideas, promising not to rock the boat too much.

Who is right about this economist who, to so many people’s surprise, is within striking distance of becoming Croatia’s next prime minister?

One senses that the average voter is perplexed, for who in Croatia isn’t both hopeful and cynical? There is so much to gain in a country that underperforms economically as conspicuously as Croatia does. Yet there is so much to lose in a country that is, after all, growing economically and that, with Sanader’s help, has succeeded in getting itself on course for EU accession just in the nick of time.

In Zagreb, one hears people mumbling about “the lesser of two evils” and “the devil you know”. Such despair sounds unexceptional, but it is the bane of the democracy for which so many Croatians and people of other nations in central and eastern Europe risked so much within recent memory. For voters, election day of all days is not a time to feign ignorance and powerlessness.

One must make some kind of educated choice, and voters are not without reference points. They should be aware of at least two.

First, whatever one thinks of the HDZ, there is little disputing that its economic policy agenda, during its past four years in government, has been overwhelmed by the daunting task of preparing for EU accession. Grilled on economic policy, Damir Polancec, deputy prime minister under Sanader, almost unvaryingly answers back with reference to the EU.

Yes, relations with the EU are hugely important, but Croatia must heed a lesson already grasped retrospectively by the EU’s newest member states: national interest must define the way to accession, not the other way around. To do otherwise is to accept inertia.

Almost nothing could be worse for the political and economic health of a once-daring transition country such as Croatia, which has the potential to be better than “like the EU”, but which must challenge its cozy, top-heavy power structure in order to compete more effectively worldwide.

Second, whatever Jurcic might do as a prime minister in an SDP-led coalition government, what he has already accomplished as a candidate is extremely important.

He has shown sufficient intellectually agility and honesty to acknowledge that Croatia has real policy choices to make within the broad EU accession track. After all, the EU now contains not just Germanic, French, British and Nordic economic models but the comparatively radical economic models of countries like Estonia and Ireland.

Indeed, Jurcic may be too agile intellectually for his own practical political good. He does contradict himself. He criticises industries that under-perform in this unforgiving age of global competition, and yet he says that the former Yugoslavia had “quite good industry”. He aims to empower small and medium sized enterprises, yet one of his policy suggestions is the creation, by the government, of advisory “project teams” – an idea that carries a whiff of central planning, though the candidate strongly denies it.

However, there is some strength in this approach. If Jurcic is of two minds, it is because Croatia is of two minds, too. There is a strong popular sense that the country can do better, and yet the electorate has a certain aversion to risk.

Perhaps Jurcic’s embrace of this contradiction makes him appealing to voters who are likewise flummoxed. Would it make him a good prime minister? It might give him a strong starting point, from which to introduce reforms, or it might render him ineffective. If the latter is true, the most likely result would be that the SDP and its coalition partners would be overwhelmed politically, much as the HDZ has been, by the immense job of preparing for EU accession.

It would be a pity to be left wondering after November 25, as one still wonders today, what Croatia would be like if it really dared to ditch the status quo, scrapping the legacy of its half-discarded socialist economy once and for all.

Croatia 'wants green tourism trade'

Tourist authorities in Croatia have announced plans to make its holiday industry more eco-friendly.

The Croatian National Tourist Board (CNTB) stated that it was reviewing it marketing plan in order to promote the country as a good destination for environmentally-aware people.

Although it said it did not plan to dispense with its current strategy of presenting Croatia as an unspoilt alternative to the Mediterrean, CNTB expressed a desire to put more emphasis on its green credentials.

Niko Bulic, director of the organisation, told Travel Weekly: "We don't want to rush into change, but we want to do more to encourage eco-tourism."

He added that visitors to the country had the opportunity to see how many people enjoyed a traditional lifestyle, benefiting from locally-sourced goods such as fish, grapes and other types of food.

This follows a recent report by the European Union which said that Croatia was making "substantial progress" with its negotiations on achieving full membership.

England 'too self-confident', says Croatia coach Bilic

England were too self-confident going into their qualifying campaign for Euro 2008, according to Croatia coach Slaven Bilic.

If Russia win in Israel on Saturday, Steve McClaren's team will be all but eliminated from next summer's finals in Austria and Switzerland.

But Bilic, whose team are top of Group E and play England next Wednesday, told the BBC in an interview: "The group was difficult.

"Maybe your (England's) approach was a little bit too self-confident in this campaign."

England were placed in their perilous position after losing 2-1 to Russia last month in Moscow. They also lost 2-0 away to Croatia and recorded scoreless draws with Macedonia and Israel.

Bilic, who was a defender in the English Premiership with West Ham and Everton, believes England underestimated the other teams in their group.

"It is not easy to come to Croatia and to get something from a game," he said. "It is not easy to play in Russia. It is not easy to play Macedonia.

"And it's very difficult to play in Tel Aviv. So maybe you were expecting you were to cruise the group, but it's a very difficult group."

But Bilic had some words of support for under-fire McClaren, whose future as England coach will surely hinge on his team's qualification or not.

"As a club manager you need a couple of years to make or build a team," Bilic said.

"In a national team you need three or four years because you do not have them every day. You have them once a month for five days.

"It's not Steve McClaren's fault and I really feel for him and hope he is going to continue."

Elegant Akvinta vodka wins another top design award

Elegant Akvinta, a super premium vodka from Croatia, has won another top award for its outstanding design. Created by UK design consultancy Lewis Moberly, the distinctive packaging of Akvinta has received a silver medal in the luxury spirits category at the prestige, international Pentawards in Monaco.

Since its launch last year, Akvinta has been presented with four design awards as well as a silver award for taste in the recent International Wine and Spirit Competition.

The design of Akvinta, based on a wine bottle shape, reflects the luxury positioning of the brand, the warm style of the Mediterranean and the quality and purity of the spirit.

Distilled from finest Italian wheat, the pure spirit is then blended with natural spring water in Croatia and filtered through charcoal, marble, silver, gold and platinum to create an exceptionally smooth and polished taste.

John Jeffrey, UK brand director for Akvinta, says: “Akvinta tastes great, setting it apart from other more traditional northern, blue and frosted design styles. The eye- catching packaging interests consumers and the trade alike and encourages them to try it, opening the door to listings and sales”.

Since the launch of Akvinta in the UK earlier this year, part of an international brand roll out, the 40% vodka has been listed in bars such Light Bar, the Purple bar at Sanderson, Nov 5 Cavendish Square and Crazy Bear.

During tastings with bartenders in London, the clean, fresh taste of Akvinta has met with wide approval. Tasting notes refer to Akvinta as having a citrus nose with a round peppery mouth feel and a pleasant, creamy wheat finish.

Akvinta has received the following recognition for its packaging excellence:

US Creativity Annual Awards - Gold for professional achievement and extraordinary talent

Mobius Advertising and Design Awards - Certificate for outstanding creativity

The Drinks Business, Vodka Masters - Gold Medal

Pentawards - Silver

Akvinta will retail at around £35 per 70cl bottle.

Mediterranean is shark danger zone, warns report

Conservationists believe 30 of the sea's 71 cartilaginous species are vulnerable to extinction, mainly due to intensive fishing and the decline of their habitats.

Also the species have a tendency to grow slowly, mature late and produce few young, meaning that these predators - vital to marine food webs and ecosystems - are in serious decline, according to the World Conservation Union (IUCN).

It says better enforcement of existing bans on deepwater fishing, drift nets and slicing off sharks' valuable fins might ease pressure on populations. But internationally agreed catch limits for those species that are fished, rather than caught accidentally, are also needed.

The shortfin mako and porbeagle, both prized for their meat and fins, are among 13 "critically endangered" species, the most at-risk group.

The Maltese skate, found only in the Mediterranean, and whose populations are thought to have dropped by four-fifths because of bottom-trailing fisheries, is in similar danger.

The giant devil ray, whose females can grow to five metres (17ft) and give birth to just one pup per pregnancy, is on the "endangered" list, the next most serious group.

So is the feared great white shark. The shark that inspired Jaws is more under threat in the Mediterranean than in any other waters, where it has a lesser global conservation rating of "vulnerable".

Only one species, the Portuguese dogfish, has a better rating in the Mediterranean than elsewhere. This deep-sea shark is found at depths of nearly 4,000 metres and may be benefiting from a 2005 ban on fishing below 1,000 metres.

The IUCN brings together governments, non-governmental organisations and about 10,000 scientists and experts. The report from its shark specialist group and its centre for Mediterranean cooperation, says 30 species in the sea are threatened with extinction - 13 critically, eight endangered and nine vulnerable.

Another 13 are assessed as "near-threatened", while there is a lack of information on 18 species to classify them. Only 10 species are "of least concern".

Claudine Gibson, one of the report's authors, said: "From devil rays to angel sharks, Mediterranean populations...are in serious trouble.

"Our analyses reveal the Mediterranean Sea as one of the world's most dangerous places for sharks and rays. Bottom dwelling species appear to be at greatest risk in this region, due mainly to intense fishing of the seabed."

Alen Soldo of Split University, Croatia, said: "We are particularly concerned about the porbeagle and mako sharks in the Mediterranean. Our studies reveal persistent fishing pressure well in excess of the reproductive capacity of the species."

Sonja Fordham, deputy of the shark specialist group, said country officials should heed the dire warnings and "change the current course toward extinction of these remarkable creatures."

Ian Ferguson, a specialist on Mediterranean sharks, said in research published nine years ago that fewer than one shark bite a year on humans had been recorded in the sea - an average of 0.42 cases annually. This is despite the millions of visitors to the region, the presence of 46 shark species – 16 measuring three metres or more - and 15 of them being classed as potentially dangerous.

At present there are no catch limits for fished sharks and rays in the Mediterranean. Eight species are listed on international conventions relating to Mediterranean wildlife but only three have received any protection as a result: the white and basking shark in EU and Croatian waters, and the giant devil ray off Malta and Croatia.

Kitchener man could be extradited to Croatia

A Kitchener man being held by U.S customs officials will appear in a Detroit court this morning accused of war crimes.

42 year old Goran Pavic was arrested last week trying to cross the border after U.S. authorities say his name matches on an interpol list of a persons wanted in connection with war crimes.

Pavic has been in Canada with his family since 1997 and has crossed the boarder for the trucking company he worked for a number of times.

Coalition: President, Church Should Leave Politics

Mesic, as the president of all citizens should leave room for parties to battle for the trust of the citizens, said Friscic.

The presidents of the coalition HSS (Croatian Peasant’s Party) and HSLS (Croatian Social Liberal Party) and Djurdja Adlesic, told the president of Croatia Stjepan Mesic and the Church, to not interfere with the pre-election campaign, because that is not their place.

At the rally with the citizens of Split, Friscic compared Mesic to sporting personalities that play for all of Croatia, stressing that he as the president of all citizens of Croatia should leave room to the parties to battle over the trust of the voters.

- Nobody in the campaign talks about the real problems that can best be seen in the example that today, a large number of Split’s residents, despite the strong winds and cold weather, patiently wait in line at the fish markets in order to get some sardines – said Friscic, and added that this is the real picture of life in Croatia.

“Did the defenders die for a country that somebody would sell off?”

Friscic mentioned the allegations that he is a Euro-sceptic, saying that it can not be all the same in which way Croatia enters the EU. If the protection of Croatian interests means euro-scepticism, then the whole coalition and I are euro-sceptics for trying to preserve the Croatian sea, land and forests, claims Friscic.

- Those who call upon the defenders in this campaign, should ask them if they died for a country that someone would like to sell now – said Friscic.

His coalition partner Durda Adlesic pointed out the fact that the pre-election campaign has come down to open conflicts between HDZ (Croatian Democratic Union) and SDP (Social democratic Party).

- The conflict is being led by the presidents of those parties, and we especially regret that this campaign will be remembered for the conflicts of the president Stjepan Mesic and the Church, as well as sports personalities interfering in politics – concluded Adlesic.