PETROKEMIJA DIRECTOR'S OFFICE REFUTES LINIC'S ACCUSATIONS

KUTINA, Jan 29 (Hina) - The office of the director of the Petrokemija company on Monday reacted upon a Croatian Deputy Prime Minister Slavko Linic's severe criticism of the work of director Josip Jagust and the management of Croatia's biggest manufacturer of artificial fertilisers. "Statements of (Linic) are in particular surprising as Director Jagust is not a member of any political party and in the last two years when he ran the company, he directed all his bids to consolidate business activities. We state that the output and sales increased by 30 percent each, while losses fell by 25 percent. In addition, prices in export climbed between 30-50 percent," read a statement signed by Jagust's spokeswoman Biserka Stojic. Deputy Prime Minister Linic on Monday announced he would initiate investigative procedure against the director of the "Petrokemija" company, for his intention to sow unrest and uncertainty among employees with Petrokemija. At a news conference in Zagreb, Slavko Linic described the Petrokemija management chairman's conduct, Josip Jagust, as unacceptable. Linic accused the Kutina plant's management of failing to do its job, i.e.. run the company properly. (hina) ms