GRANIC: CLAIM IN "JUTARNJI LIST" IS FRIVOLOUS SPECULATION

ZAGREB, Feb 1 (Hina) - Croatian Foreign Minister Mate Granic described as "a frivolous speculation" the claim of Zagreb's daily "Jutarnji list" that he should replace Zlatko Matesa as Prime Minister. The article that Croatian President's Advisor, Ivic Pasalic, advocated the recall of prime minister was not commented on by Pasalic. The reconstruction o f the Government will be known after the amendments to the Law on Government are included in the parliament agenda, Pasalic said ahead of a session of the parliament bench of the ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) on Monday. Reporters were unable to find out more about the preparations for the amendments. Croatian President Franjo Tudjman announced the reconstruction of the Government in his report on the state of the nation at the Croatian National Parliament in mid-January. He also mentioned a decrease in the number of ministries. Croatian media have for some time been speculating on the abolishment or merging of some ministries, and about people who would be leaving or taking over some government offices. This was the subject of an article entitled "Matesa Leaving, Granic New Premier?" published in Monday's issue of Jutarnji list. (hina) lml jn