VJESNIK ANNOUNCES CHANGES IN CROATIA'S RULING PARTY

ZAGREB, April 7 (Hina) - The Zagreb-based daily Vjesnik today commented on current trends in the ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), in an article headlined "HDZ Will Not Turn Right". "It seems that the Croatian Democratic Union is facing dramatic changes in the coming months which will clarify the physiognomy of the ruling movement and bring it closer to what its leaders call a Popular Party," Branko Podgornik writes. "Highly-placed HDZ sources, who have spoken on condition of anonimity, confirm that technocrats are slowly but surely leaving ruling circles. ... However, the same sources claim that the weakening of technocrats' position does not mean that Croatian policy is becoming radical and that the so-called right wing will take over the HDZ and Croatian policy." "With right-wing radicals the HDZ cannot win elections," Podgornik quoted a well-informed source close to political leaders. "Another observer, close to the leadership of the ruling party, warns that most HDZ members are moderate and democratically minded, but says that the problem is that the public does not have an opportunity to notice this because the original, modest current is headed by people who have been admitted to the HDZ mostly on the principle of negative selection." "The Croatian Democratic Union must remain a centrist party, the same sources say, so that it will be taken over by political moderates which make up the majority of the party. "Well-informed sources claim that the HDZ will continue to admit to its ranks people like Secretary General Zlatko Canjuga. Such people have kept a low profile, they did not belong to any of the opposing currents within the HDZ and President Tudjman has confidence in them." Quoting top party officials, Vjesnik says that "political winds are blowing into the sails of people such as Government members Bozo Prka, Borislav Skegro and Ivica Kostovic as well as the former head of the National Security Office, Krunislav Olujic." It further says that Prime Minister Nikica Valentic will also stay among "people who should give a new physiognomy to the ruling party." "Sources close to ruling party leaders have announced events which will lead to the shaping of the HDZ as a party of European orientation. These moves will be partly connected with the HDZ's admission to EUCD membership, which is expected in early July. These sources say that a key moment in the transformation of the HDZ will happen at intra-party elections which are to be completed at an HDZ assembly this autumn and not later than the spring next year. The final transformation of the HDZ is expected in 1996 parliamentary elections. "In any case, stormy events are expected in the ruling party and their reverberations will affect the entire Croatian political stage, including the Croatian Parliament." (hina) jn vm 071429 MET apr 95