STATEMENT ISSUED BY CROATIAN FINANCE MINISTRY

ZAGREB, Sept 9 (Hina) - The Croatian finance ministry has said that it has never authorised Mr. Franjo Egri to negotiate with U.S. companies about any loan. Mr. Franjo Egri went on hunger strike last week in Zagreb claiming that he has suffered financial damage due to a failure to carry out the credit about which he was allegedly authorised to negotiate on behalf of Croatia. The finance ministry issued a statement on Tuesday saying that "Mr. Franjo Egri has not been authorised either by the finance ministry or by the finance minister and that he acts as a private person." According to the statement, the finance ministry has certain legal authorities to represent the Republic of Croatia on the international legal market. In regard to this, the ministry uses services of respectable investment banks. (hina) jn mš 091601 MET sep 97