CACIC'S STATEMENT SURPRISED MOST OPPOSITION BLOC MEMBERS

ZAGREB, Nov 11 (Hina) - Most of Radimir Cacic's colleagues from the Croatian six-party opposition bloc were surprised with his Wednesday statement saying the MPs from the opposition bloc would resign their parliamentary functions as vice-presidents of both parliamentary houses and presidents and vice-presidents of the Sabor's working bodies. Most of the opposition members were surprised with this, in their opinion, premature statement, considering the fact that the opposition had agreed to announce the decisions on their future participation in parliamentary sessions at a press conference on Thursday. According to unofficial information from within the opposition bloc, the measures Cacic spoke about had not been discussed in all opposition bloc parties. The bloc comprises the Social Democratic Party - SDP, Croatian Peasants' Party - HSS, Croatian Social Liberal Party - HSLS, Liberal Party - LS, Istrian Democratic Assembly - IDS, and the Croatian People's Party - HNS. Unofficial sources have also confirmed that the opposition bloc is considering not only resigning the leading positions in the parliamentary working bodies but also all membership to those bodies. However, this issue is yet to be discussed by the party bodies tonight. The opposition bloc holds two of the five vice-presidents' positions of the House of Representatives. It also holds the offices of president and vice president in two lower house committees - the Committee for Urban Planning and Environmental Protection and the Committee for Maritime Affairs, Transport and Communications. The bloc further holds presidential posts in another two committees and vice-presidential posts in seven committees. It also has one vice president at the House of Counties, and three presidential and vice presidential seats each in upper house committees. (hina) jn rml/sp