SPLIT POLYTECHNIC STUDENTS ANNOUNCE PROTEST IN ZAGREB

SPLIT, Oct 29 (Hina) - The strike committee of Split Polytechnic students protesting against a government decree on the Polytechnic's integration into Split University announced on Wednesday it would stage a massive protest rally in front of the government building in Zagreb early next week. #L# Committee advisor Maja Cvitan said they would wait to be received by President Stjepan Mesic, to whom they had written asking to be received and supported. Cvitan declined to say when the students would leave for Zagreb out of security reasons. She said they were constantly receiving threatening messages trying to discourage them from going to the capital. The strike continues and the committee will not give up its demand that the government rescind the decree, which the students say is unlawful, said Cvitan. She added the strike committee was endorsed by every political party as well as the Croatian Students Corps. Cvitan said police had entered Split Polytechnic premises in Zagreb tonight with the intention to seize documents. Zagreb police spokeswoman Gordana Vulama denied that but confirmed that the Science Ministry had asked the Interior Ministry to protect the Polytechnic's property and that police had consequently stepped up surveillance on the premises. (hina) ha