HEALTH MINISTER: PRESIDENT TUDJMAN CAN CONTINUE HIS ACTIVITIES WITHOUT LIMITATIONS

WITHOUT LIMITATIONS ZAGREB, 23 March (Hina) - Today's issue of the Zagreb daily 'Vecernji list' brings an interview with the Croatian Health Minister Andrija Hebrang, who is also the head of a doctor's board in charge of following the condition of President Franjo Tudjman. 'Since the last statement, there have been no changes whatsoever in President Tudjman's health condition', Hebrang said. 'I remain by all the facts from the last statement, which was co-signed by top experts from three countries. That means that the treatment has yielded excellent results and that there are no limitations in President Tudjman's everyday activities. My statement matters more so as the 18-hour-a-day working capacity of President Tudjman is much larger than the average capacity', Hebrang said. 'Claims saying that the doctors' team is rarely issuing statements and that I conceal President Tudjman's condition are unfounded. The doctors' board issued its latest statement after thorough medical examinations and after we gathered all necessary data to support our firm opinion. The doctors' board will issue new statements, after it has agreed with President Tudjman on new check-ups. The President can continue his activities normally in this and the forthcoming campaigns', the Croatian Health Minister said. Asked to comment on statements by some Opposition politicians saying it would be highly irresponsible if the statements were meant to create a false picture of the President's health in the public, Hebrang stressed that the statement was signed by an international board of doctors. 'Would I be fooling international politicians, such as U.S. politicians in charge of Croatia, for example General Klein, the man who says that he is the only person President Tudjman trusts. Would we be playing political games with such statements?', Hebrang said. (hina) rm jn 241120 MET mar 97