SITUATION IN ZAGREB SERIOUS, BUT NO CRISIS POINTS -- COMMISSIONER

ZAGREB, March 20 (Hina) - The Government's commissioner for the city of Zagreb, Josip Kregar, assessed Monday the situation in Zagreb was far from ideal, but there were not critical points which would demand immediate intervention. Kregar voiced his assessments to reporters at a regular news conference at the Zagreb City Assembly after talks with Justice Minister and Prime Minister on Monday. Kregar also presented his five assistants most of whom had worked in city administration. He said his work was temporary and it made no sense to engage people "from the outside". Kregar said systematic changes must take place in city management. "It is not sufficient to just change the people, the way of managing the city must also be changed," he stressed. He added the management model in effect in Zagreb was that of the 40's and 50's, rendering management to technical aspects and insufficient openness towards the public which is today unacceptable and too conservative. In meetings with Prime Minister Ivica Racan he said he would advocate amendments to the Law on Local Government and Self- Government. Krugar said he did not expect the resignation of Zagreb's Mayor Marina Matulovic Dropulic who has continued her work in administration following the dissolution of the Zagreb City Assembly. Following the resignations of 26 out of the total of 50 city councillors, the Government on March 10 dissolved the Zagreb City Assembly and appointed Kregar as the city's commissioner. Kregar assessed the electoral campaign had already started in Zagreb, but he did not intend to participate. "I will try to disable the political campaign atmosphere from affecting the functioning of the city," he stressed. Elections for the Zagreb City Assembly will be held on May 7 so the Assembly could be constituted by May 31 at the latest, Prime Minister Ivica Racan said Monday pursuant to talks with Kregar. (hina) lml