CONSUMERS' UNION GOES PUBLIC

( Editorial: --> 8853 ) ZAGREB, 2 Feb (Hina) - The Consumers' Union is a non-profit, non- government union which was formed on 20 October 1997 by 11 citizens with the aim of providing organised protection for Croatian consumers, it was said at a media conference on Monday. This was the first time the union presented itself to the public. Primarily, the union wishes to inform consumers of their rights, said the union's president Vesna Brcic-Stipcevic. The union wants a consumer protection law to be introduced as soon as possible, said Stipcevic adding the law should be adopted this year since the means for its implementation have been set aside in the state budget. The union will help its cheated members excercise their rights and it is open to non-members who wish to inform themselves of the many ways and places where they might be cheated, said Stipcevic. It was cautioned at the media conference that the Consumers Union should not be confused with the Commission for the Support of Consumers which was formed by the Croatian Government with the exclusive aim of monitoring the consequences of the introduction of value added tax. (hina) mrb mm 021549 MET feb 98