Former Croatian Premier Racan Dies

Ivica Racan (file photo) (RFE/RL) ZAGREB, April 29, 2007 -- Former Croatian Prime Minister Ivica Racan died in a Zagreb clinic early today as a result of kidney cancer. He was 63.

Racan, who recently stepped down as the leader of the Social Democrats, led a governing coalition between 2000 and 2003.

During his premiership, Croatia signed a premembership agreement with the European Union, a stepping stone for eventual membership.

(AP, Reuters)