PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE GOTOVAC ASSAULTED - INCIDENT DENOUNCED

ZAGREB, June 6 (Hina) - A Croatian presidential candidate, Social Liberal Vlado Gotovac, was assaulted and lightly injured at an election campaign rally in Pula on Thursday evening. At Pula's main square, a young man dressed in military uniform attacked Gotovac from behind. Gotovac staggered and fell down, receiving injuries to his head and left leg, but managed to finish his speech. Croatian Defence Ministry's political department on Friday morning stated that a Croatian Army's captain first class, who was drunk, attacked Gotovac. The captain was immediately suspended and is now in custody. An investigation into the incident is under way. Nine opposition parties which are supporting Gotovac's candidature, and the Social Democratic Party (SDP), on Friday most strongly condemned the incident, demanding that those responsible for it be punished. Gotovac's election headquarters on Friday sent a protest letter to Premier Zlatko Matesa and to the Defence and Interior Ministers. The Croatian government on Friday issued a statement in which it 'most strongly condemned such incidents'. The Government would take all necessary measures to prevent similar incidents from happening, the statement said, adding that authorised ministries would carry out a thorough investigation and that those responsible for the incident would be punished. The Croatian Electoral Commission on Friday issued a statement concerning the incident, expressing "dissatisfaction with and deep regret over irresponsible behaviour of individuals." The Commission stressed that election was a ceremonial act and called on the public to behave in the dignified manner in the rest of the run-up to the presidential election (scheduled for June 15). (hina) rm mš jn 061754 MET jun 97