INDEBTED PRESS DISTRIBUTOR GIANT EMPLOYEES GATHER IN FRONT OF GOVT

ZAGREB, Apr 15 (Hina) - Some 200 employees of Croatia's largest press distributor, "Tisak", on Thursday gathered in front of the government building in Zagreb protesting the fact that not one government decision on the financial rehabilitation of the company has been implemented. The government adopted a programme for the financial rehabilitation of "Tisak" on April 1. According to the programme, the company's shares should be transferred to new owners, a six- bank consortium, which has not been done yet. The representatives of the distributor's employees were received by the Premier's advisor for economy, Nada Mamic, and the president of the Croatian Privatisation Fund (HFP), Stipe Hrkac. Speaking on the employees' behalf, Stjepan Kolaric told reporters after today's talks that the HFP and the bank consortium, which must sign an agreement on the transfer of "Tisak's" shares, should decide on their obligations by Wednesday, April 21. According to employees' representatives, the bank consortium should by that date also pay "Tisak" US$5 million of minimum current assets. The money would also be used to pay the company's employees, who have not received salaries since January. Unless the deadlines are complied with, the company's employees will stage a general strike on April 22. The employees were today also briefly addressed by Economy Minister Nenad Porges. "This is neither the first nor the last government decision facing obstacles in its implementation, but the government will certainly be more than stubborn in implementing its decisions," Porges said. By plunging into financial troubles and failing to pay for sold press, "Tisak" has brought into question the future publication of numerous Croatian dailies and weeklies. (hina) ha jn