CROATIAN PRESIDENT NOMINATES NEW STATE OFFICIALS

( Editorial: --> 8344 ) ZAGREB, Oct 14 (Hina) - Based on his constitutional and legal authority, recommendations from the Premier, and resignations, Croatian President Franjo Tudjman on Wednesday appointed several new officials in state positions. The positions were made vacant due to the resignation earlier this week of the presidential Chief-of-Staff Hrvoje Sarinic and Defence Minister Andrija Hebrang. The new presidential chief-of-staff is to be Ivica Kostovic, former Deputy Premier for Humanitarian Issues and Science and Technology Minister. Pavao Miljavac, until now Chief-of-Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces, was appointed the new Defence Minister. Vesna Skare+Ozbolt, the Croatian President's former deputy chief- of-staff was appointed the President's advisor for political affairs, while Slaven Barisic was appointed presidential advisor for science and development strategy. Janko Vranyczany-Dobrinovic was appointed presidential advisor for Euro-Atlantic integration. Nedjeljko Mihanovic was appointed presidential advisor for ethical and moral issues. Branimir Jaksic was appointed presidential advisor for health and social welfare issues. To date, Jaksic was the presidential advisor for science. Slobodan Lang was re-appointed presidential advisor for humanitarian issues. Franjo Kajfez was re-appointed presidential advisor for local administration and self-administration. Vice Admiral Davor Domazet Loso was appointed Armed Forces Chief- of-Staff, until now deputy chief-of-staff. Major General Damir Krsticevic was appointed army Deputy Chief-of- Staff. Until now he was the Commander for training. The above nominations were announced in a press release issued by the President's Office. (Hina) sp jn/ha 141627 MET oct 98