CROATIAN JUSTICE MINISTER RESPONDS TO ACCUSSATIONS

ZAGREB, March 23 (Hina) - Croatian Justice Minister Ivica Crnic, who has handed in his resignation, today responded to a statement by the head of the State Judicial Council (DSV), Ante Potrebica, which was carried by the Hina news agency on March 21. In his statement Potrebica accused the Justice Ministry of announcing vacancies in the Administrative Court and High Trade Court contrary to a State Judicial Council decision. He also accused the ministry of overstepping their authority and manipulating procedures. Responding to such claims, Crnic defended the Justice Ministry saying it had fully respected the appointments procedure and had acted "absolutely in the framework of law". Crnic said Potrebica had "distorted facts" in his March 21 statement. Crnic described the statement as one of many methods used by Potrebica to disguise his own failures. Crnic blamed Potrebica for "creating chaos in the judiciary" by playing a waiting game with the procedure of appointing judges. (hina) jn sd mms 232054 MET mar 95