NATIONAL SECURITY OFFICE ISSUES STATEMENT ON BRZOVIC

ZAGREB, June 12 (Hina) - The First Croatian Guard Corps and the National Security Office issued a joint statement on Thursday dismissing press reports that Captain Tomislav Brzovic, who had attacked opposition presidential candidate Vlado Gotovac at a rally last week, was a member of the security guard of President Franjo Tudjman. "We declare with responsibility that Captain Tomislav Brzovic is not, and has never been, a member of the security guard of the President of the Republic, nor is he a member of the Security Staff of the National Security Office which provides security and protection of the President of the Republic and other protected persons and buildings in the Republic of Croatia. "Since this is not the first time that members of the 1st Croatian Guard Corps and the Security Staff of the National Security Office have been maliciously linked with unfortunate incidents, we resolutely reject all attempts to politicise the activities of members of the 1st Croatian Guard Corps and the Security Staff of the National Security Office," the statement said. (hina) vm 121738 MET jun 97