MONDAY ARRESTS WON'T AFFECT WORK OF PENSION INSURANCE OFFICE IN SPLIT - ZORIC

SPLIT - ZORIC ( Editorial: --> 5905 ) SPLIT, Aug 25 (Hina) - The arrest of a group of employees of the Split pension and disability insurance office will not affect the payment of pensions, the Croatian Pension and Disability Insurance Fund (FMIORH) director Damir Zoric told reporters in Split on Tuesday. There will be no delays in the payment of pensions or in the work of the regional office, Zoric said. Zoric visited the pension and disability insurance office in Split following yesterday's arrest of seven employees, including the office's head, under suspicion of taking bribes. The name of the new head of the regional office in Split will be known once a complex appointment procedure has been completed, Zoric said. The Split County police have brought criminal charges against nine employees of the Split FMIORH office and a physician from Split under suspicion of abuse of professional code. The county investigating judge has ordered that an investigation be carried out and all suspects taken into custody. Seven suspects have been taken into custody while the remaining three are still at large. (hina) rml 251942 MET aug 98