CLUB OF HDZ FOUNDERS HOLDS CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY

ZAGREB, March 25 (Hina) - The Club of HDZ (Croatian Democratic Union) founders "Dr. Franjo Tudjman" on Saturday held its constituent assembly in Zagreb. Present were about 500 participants. They elected members and the head of the Club's Presidency and members of the central committee. The Presidency's head is Djuro Perica and other members are Branimir Glavas, Ivan Bobetko, Petar Sale, Jure Ivancic, Marko Turic, Ivan Butkovic, Muhamed Zulic, Vedran Cerni, Drazen Bobinac, Ivanka Zoric and Miro Barisic. Members of the central committee should be representatives of all Croatian counties. As there were no representatives from some counties at this assembly, this body has not been completed yet. One of the conclusions of Saturday's assembly is that the establishment of the Club of HDZ Founders was prompted by persistent efforts of most responsible members of the HDZ Presidency to retain their leading positions in this political party by using "undemocratic way" during the run-up to the Fifth General Convention of this Croatian opposition party. This Club has been founded within the HDZ Statute in order to preserve the original programme of the party and teachings of Franjo Tudjman. Concerning this issue they forwarded a request to the HDZ National Committee to confirm the set-up of the Club of HDZ Founders. The Club opposes the policy that some members of the party have a grip on several offices or functions within the party and it advocates the refreshment of the staff within this leading opposition party. Present at this event were the HDZ acting president Vladimir Seks, two members of the Presidency - Milan Kovac and Ivo Sanader - and Secretary-General Joso Skara. Attending the first part of today's session Seks complained that "a complete HDZ destruction scenario is at work" and picturesquely described the situation saying that now when "our ship (HDZ) is swaying, they have started to flee as rats" thinking of those, as he said, who exploited the HDZ for their ascension. For Seks this is a crucial period for the HDZ and he cautioned, citing the late HDZ President Franjo Tudjman, that the sovereignty of the Croatian State was in jeopardy with this left-wing wave. In the first part of this assembly Branimir Glavas and Seks came into conflict. Glavas responded to Friday's statement signed by Seks which read that the HDZ Presidency stated that due to intraparty elections and preparations for the fifth general convention, activities which are not within the party statute, such as the announced establishment of a Club of HDZ Founders, do not contribute to the unity and consolidation of the party. Glavas insisted that Seks say his opinion on that statement and make it clear whether he was attending Saturday's constituent assembly on his own behalf or as the envoy of the HDZ Presidency. Instead of Seks, Joso Skara answered to him speaking about the necessity of the unity within the HDZ and expressing his hope that this Club would work within the HDZ Statute. Being dissatisfied with such course of events, Glavas left the hall where the assembly was taking place. Then Seks said he was present there both as an individual and as the acting president of the HDZ. "The assembly is an initiative and the HDZ National Committee and the 5th general convention must accept it," Seks replied. Shortly after that Glavas came back to the hall and resumed his activities in the assembly. (hina) ms