HSLS RECALLS GOVT MEMBERS GRANIC, FIZULIC AND TUSEK

ZAGREB, Feb 26 (Hina) - The Croatian Social Liberal Party (HSLS) will withdraw its representatives in the government - First Deputy Prime Minister Goran Granic, Economy Minister Goranko Fizulic and the Minister of Maritime Affairs, Transport and Communications, Alojz Tusek, party spokesman Josko Kontic said after a session of the party's Executive Council on Tuesday evening. Kontic said the three officials would be recalled because the party leadership was not satisfied with their performance and that party president Drazen Budisa had already informed Prime Minister Ivica Racan of the decision. He added that Budisa would inform party members Granic and Fizulic of the decision, as well as Tusek, who left the party ranks last year. The Executive Council has also decided to nominate Budisa for the post of First Deputy Prime Minister, Kontic said, adding all decisions were adopted unanimously. The Council has entrusted Budisa to start negotiations with Racan on the new candidates for the government posts. Kontic said none of the three recalled members would be nominated again. "We hope that the coalition agreement would be changed and personnel changes carried out as soon as possible for the sake of stability of the coalition and its normal operation," Kontic said. (hina) sb rml