CRO PREMIER COMMENTS ON TUDJMAN'S SPEECH AT HDZ CONVENTION

( Editorial: --> 5241 ) ZAGREB, Feb 28 (Hina) - Croatian Premier Zlatko Matesa at a Saturday press conference commented at reporters' request on international reactions to a speech Croatian President Franjo Tudjman held at last weekend's fourth general convention of the ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ). Matesa said that HDZ President Tudjman had not in any one moment brought into question undertaken obligations nor Croatia's wish to be part of European integrations. That does not arise from any one sentence of President Tudjman's speech, the premier said. Matesa said he could not interpret everything Tudjman wanted to say but, he added, if the speech is carefully read and analysed, and if someone is familiar with the historical circumstances in this region, it is clear that Tudjman's messages were of a character totally opposite to the meaning they have been given in the international community. In answer to a journalist's question, Matesa said that Deputy Premier Ljerka Mintas-Hodak and the Government office for European integrations she will head will contribute to resolving all possible misunderstandings with the Council of Europe or the European Union. Access to Euro-Atlantic integrations is the primary goal of the Government's policy, Matesa said. Asked whether the real reason behind Education and Sports Minister Ljilja Vokic's resignation and her announcement that she would leave the HDZ was the non-passing of a law on education in languages of ethnic and national communities or minorities, Premier Matesa said he did not believe so. Vokic advocated changes in the education system but faced a lot of resistance, Matesa said, adding he personally did not believe she would leave the HDZ. (hina) ha 281301 MET feb 98