FIVE HSLS GOVT. MINISTERS TENDER RESIGNATIONS - EXTENDED

ZAGREB, Feb 27 (Hina) - All five government ministers from the ranks of the Croatian Social Liberal Party (HSLS) tendered their resignations on Wednesday evening. "A couple of minutes ago we handed our resignations to Prime Minister Ivica Racan," First Deputy Prime Minister Goran Granic told reporters around 9pm. Granic addressed reporters in the company of his colleagues, Defence Minister Jozo Rados, Economy Minister Goranko Fizulic, Health Minister Andro Vlahusic, and Science and Technology Minister Hrvoje Kraljevic. "We have all resigned but intend to hold our offices until new ministers are appointed," Granic added. The HSLS ministers will forward their resignations to the HSLS headquarters tomorrow. The ministers said they tendered the resignations to PM Racan after mutual consultations, but added they had not consulted or discussed the resignations in detail with Racan. Granic said their impression was that Racan was not surprised and could have expected such a move knowing their work and the confidence established in the joint work within the government. Granic said his resignation was the result of months of campaigning against the ministers, especially after the election of a new HSLS leadership. He dismissed speculation that he could move to another party, and praised the two years he spent working as a government minister. Addressing reporters, the other HSLS ministers stressed they did not contest the party's right to replace its ministers but objected to the way in which this was done and the fact that they learnt about the party's decision from the media. They reaffirmed the correctness of the government's programme, reforms, and European orientation. (hina) rml/ha sb