CROATIA'S AMBASSADOR TO MALAYSIA RELIEVED OF DUTY

ZAGREB, Oct 10 (Hina) - Croatia's ambassador to Malaysia has been relieved of duty over inefficient performance during a ten-month period of diplomatic service, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Thursday. At the proposal of Foreign Minister Mate Granic, President Franjo Tudjman made a decision on September 23 to relieve Kresimir Znidaric of duty as ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to Malaysia, the statement said. "According to diplomatic practice, the decision should have taken effect on December 31, but in view of new circumstances regarding a lawsuit filed against the ambassador, which damages the reputation and the interests of the Republic of Croatia, the President of the Republic has decided, at the proposal of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, that it should take effect immediately," the statement said. (hina) vm 101231 MET oct 96