PARTIES' REPS ON HEBRANG'S RESIGNATION

( Editorial: --> 7864 ) ZAGREB, Oct 12 (Hina) - The resignation of the Defence Minister Andrija Hebrang on Monday was commented on in the Croatian Parliament by the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) spokesman Drago Krpina, as well as leaders of several opposition parties. As opposed to Krpina's opinion that it would not have long-term, serious consequences either on the HDZ or the Croatian state, leaders and representatives of the Croatian peoples' Party (HNS), Istrian Democratic Forum (IDS), Liberal Party (LS) and Social Democratic Party (SDP) believe that this resignation is a sign of caving in and falling apart of the ruling party. The Croatian Social Liberal Party (HSLS) leader Drazen Budisa expressed his regret that Hebrang was no longer leading the Ministry of Defence, while for the Croatian Party of Rights (HSP)'s leader Ante Djapic the resignation meant unpleasant news. The HDZ spokesman Krpina reminded the press that Hebrang's nomination had been supported by the HDZ. Soon after he had taken office certain misunderstandings arose which, unfortunately, culminated with his resignation. Considering that he was Defence Minister, the decision on his resignation was up to the President as the Commander-in-Chief of the military. Krpina believes that Hebrang had no valid reasons to resign from the post of the HDZ's vice president, although he expressed a belief that President Tudjman would find the adequate solution for the office left empty by Hebrang's resignation. This incident, he emphasised, would have no long-term, serious consequences, either for the HDZ, or for the Croatian state. The president of HSLS Drazen Budisa reminded of the fact that parliament members from his party had also voted for Hebrang as Defence Minister. The HSLS had repeatedly supported Minister Hebrang in doing his job, which he had accepted with a clear goal to bring order into the Ministry of Defence. Therefore, said Budisa, one could only feel regret that Hebrang was no longer Defence Minister. The president of the HSP, Anto Djapic, said that he considered Hebrang's resignation not good for the Ministry of Defence. "It is an unpleasant news for us", said Djapic. For the SDP representative Antun Vujic Hebrang's resignation is a sign of a impending, risky collapse of the ruling party. LS president Vlado Gotovac also holds that Hebrang's resignation announces the HDZ's stepping down from power. The president of IDS Ivan Jakovcic said that his party was in no way happy about the situation, since it was "an indication of the uncontrolled collapse of Tudjman's system and the system of the state as well, which certainly isn't good for the future of Croatia". This, he emphasises, also shows how important it is for the opposing parties to take a responsibility for Croatia's future with a joint action. HNS president Radomir Cacic also believes that Hebrang's resignation is a step towards the culmination of the HDZ's breakdown. Given the fact that party leaders were giving their statements during and after today's meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on Interior Policy and National Security, questions were also asked about a connection between Hebrang's resignation and the work of the Committee investigating possible abuse and overstepping of authority by intelligence services. Cacic said that Hebrang's resignation bore no consequences on the Committee's work. However, he added, it was connected to the case itself, since it was the Defence Minister's obligation to launch an investigation, the military intelligence services being involved in the case. (hina) jfk jn 122225 MET oct 98