HPS SAYS THOSE WHO TOOK OFFENCE AT RALLY SPEECHES MAY SUE

ZAGREB, Dec 22 (Hina) - The Croatian Populace Party (HPS) believes the politicians who took offence at being taken to task at HPS rallies and believe the attacks were unfounded may press charges, the HPS said in Wednesday's note to the Ethics Commission, Croatian Television, and other media. "We believe the leaders taken to task have to apologise to the entire Croatian people for the situation they brought the state into," read the note. The Ethics Commission warned yesterday that the speeches by HPS president Tomislav Mercep and some other party members represented a harsh violation of the Electoral Ethics Code on the behaviour of participants in elections. The Commission expected Mercep and the others whose speeches were impermissible to make a public apology to those they hurt. Today's HPS note, which was signed by Mercep, bears a hand-written postscript which reads "I am sorry if I insulted man personally." The HPS also reacted to yesterday's edition of late news broadcast "Motrista" and a statement that the impending parliamentary elections were the first and last chance for campaigning for small parties, among which the HPS was included. The note points out the HPS numbers more than 150,000 members which it adds makes it the second in Croatia. (hina) ha mm