CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY OF LIBERAL PARTY BEGINS

( Editorial: --> 6931 ) ZAGREB, Jan 24 (Hina) - Over 800 supporters of Vlado Gotovac, many of them former members of the Croatian Social Liberal Party (HSLS), held a constituent assembly of the Liberal Party (LP). Gotovac is almost certain to be elected the party's president, as the only candidate. The assembly is also to elect a presidency, supervising committee and the council of honour, but not the deputy presidents because the party's statute does not envisage them. The presidency can, however, at the suggestion of the president, appoint deputy presidents and other officials among their members. Guests of the constitutive session of the LS are representatives of 16 embassies accredited in Zagreb, unions and associations, and 14 Croatian parties, with the exception of the ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) and HSLS. (hina) lm 241324 MET jan 98