LABOUR LEADER WRITES TO PRIME MINISTER

ZAGREB, Feb 16 (Hina) - Chairman of the Association of Independent Trade Unions of Croatia, Dragutin Lesar, today wrote an open letter to Croatian Prime Minister Zlatko Matesa, in response to a Government communique issued earlier in the day. Refuting the Government's rebuke that "trade unions were lacking in civility", Lesar informed the Prime Minister that he had "once again missed his target." "We have been sending you letters, requests, initiatives and proposals for months, without receiving any answer," Lesar wrote. "When union members tried to visit you in your office in order to present yet another request for negotiations, you sent police to stop them," Lesar protested. "What do you need to protect yourself from and what are you afraid of? Was this an expression of your exquisite civility or was it rather a hidden feeling of responsibility for all the wrong and senseless moves you are making every day?" Lesar riposted. "You say you are ready to discuss the wages policy, but only in September. Your wages policy for 1996 is not the result of negotiations and dialogue but rather the fruit of social monologue," Lesar wrote. "Taking into account your previous silence, the fact that you did set a date for de-freezing salaries may be viewed as a step forward. But we cannot accept it," Lesar concludes. (hina) mm as 162057 MET feb 96