HDZ TO ELECT NEW HDZ CITY ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT

ZAGREB, March 11 (Hina) - The Presidency of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) described Saturday the decision of the opposition part of the Zagreb City Assembly and Croatian Government to dissolve the City Assembly as "politically and legally utterly unacceptable and in contrast to the basic democratic principles." The ethically totally unacceptable and legally dubious way of obtaining the resignations of two HDZ's councillors and the hasty Government's decision on dissolving the City Assembly is a "morally inadmissible and undemocratic act of the ruling SDP (Social Democratic Party)", the Presidency said in a statement Saturday. Notwithstanding the acts of the SDP and the Government, the HDZ Presidency feels the president of the HDZ City Committee and of the City Assembly, Zlatko Canjuga, had "failed to ensure the stability of HDZ's majority in the Assembly and contributed to disrupted relations in the HDZ City Committee and HDZ party bench at the City Assembly." Stating that Zlatko Canjuga had "through his work and conduct harmed the HDZ's reputation," the Presidency suggested to the acting president of the HDZ, Vladimir Seks, to remove Canjuga from his duties in the HDZ City Committee and deputy president of the HDZ, which Seks did. The City HDZ Committee will hold a session on Sunday when its new president will be elected, the Presidency said. "I am surprised with this decision," Canjuga said. In a telephone conversation with Hina, Canjuga said "Seks has no legal right to reach a decision on my dismissal". (hina) lml