ECONOMY MINISTER REFUSES RESIGNATIONS BY HIS DEPUTY AND ASSISTANTS

ZAGREB, March 4 (Hina) - Resigned Economy Minister Goranko Fizulic on Monday said he refused resignations submitted to him by his deputy Maja Brinar and four assistants. Brinar asked Fizulic to forward to the government her request to be relieved of duty. His assistants Olgica Spevec, Renata Seperic, Roman Nota and Dusko Zuric did the same. These requests are motivated by objections the Croatian Social Liberal Party (HSLS) made about a report on the Economy Ministry two-year work which Fizulic told reporters were "not argumented, unjustified, not expert, and politically illiterate." The press conference was also attended by his assistants apart from Brinar who is on vacation. "I do not want them to be the victims of any politicking games which cause harm not only to the ministry's work but to the government as a whole", said Fizulic explaining why he turned down the resignations. Fizulic claims the objections from the HSLS to the report on the Economy Ministry's work are not criticisms of its work but the government as a whole. "This is politicking which aims at seeking reasons for my liquidation as a minister and my withdrawal from the party", he added. (hina) np sb