RULING COALITION HEADS AGREE ON PERSONNEL CHANGES IN GOVERNMENT

ZAGREB, March 5 (Hina) - Croatia's ruling coalition has suggested that Drazen Budisa replace Goran Granic as first deputy premier, according to Premier Ivica Racan. Racan, who is also president of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), announced the proposal Tuesday morning during a break in a meeting of coalition leaders. He said Granic would stay in the government as a deputy premier, and the Croatian Peasants' Party would also have a deputy premier, Luka Trncotic. Racan said it was also suggested that two government members from the Croatian Peoples Party (HNS) and the Liberal Party (LS) take part in sessions of the government's cabinet. He said it was agreed that the heads of the ruling five parties ask their leadership to declare themselves on the proposal by the end of the week. The premier said the ruling coalition heads have asked him not to accept resignations tendered by three members of the government from the Croatian Social Liberal Party (HSLS), Jozo Rados, Andro Vlahusic and Hrvoje Kraljevic. Their proposal is that the resignation of Transport Minister Alojz Tusek be accepted right away, Racan said, but that Economy Minister Goranko Fizulic remain in office until Croatia has signed free trade agreements with a series of countries and joined the Central European Free Trade Association. That is expected to happen by the end of May. The meeting of the ruling five resumed. (hina) np sb