SANADER: NEW GOVERNMENT WILL HAVE 12-14 MINISTRIES

ZAGREB, Dec 13 (Hina) - Croatia's premier-designate and leader of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), Ivo Sanader, said on Saturday the new government would have between 12 and 14 ministries, and added that its final make-up would be known after a session of the party presidency in a week's time. #L# "We will consult with experts about that matter some more next week," Sanader told reporters after today's session of the HDZ National Board. Speaking about the design of the new government, Sanader said that plans to reduce the number of ministries were aimed at making the state administration smaller and more efficient, so it could be at the service of citizens instead of becoming an end in itself. Asked whether he feared opposition to the radical reduction of the state administration, Sanader said he did not, as otherwise he would not have run for party president or accepted the task of forming the government. "Croatia needs more decisiveness, we are focused too much on ourselves," Sanader said. Asked whether the new justice minister would be from the Democratic Centre (DC) party, Sanader said the DC had been offered to participate in the new government, but no agreement had been reached on any concrete ministry. The HDZ leader dismissed speculations that Miomir Zuzul would be in charge of relations with the UN war crimes tribunal. Asked how talks with the Independent Democratic Serb Party were proceeding, Sanader said the talks were still underway and added that he expected an agreement to be reached next week. Commenting on the proposal to join the ministries of culture and tourism into one ministry, Sanader said that tourism was not only about sunbathing and swimming, but about becoming acquainted with a country's cultural heritage too. The integration of the ministries of labour and economy into one ministry is justified and logical, because they work on the same problems, Sanader said. (hina) rml sb