CROATIAN INTERIOR MINISTER TO ASSUME ANOTHER OFFICE - VALENT

ZAGREB, Dec 12 (Hina) - Croatian Interior Minister Ivan Jarnjak is leaving his post and will most likely be succeeded by Ivan Penic, currently holding the position of privatization minister, a senior official of the ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) party said on Thursday. "Minister Jarnjak is leaving for another responsible government position which will enable him to dedicate more time to his party activities within the HDZ presidency," HDZ secretary general Ivan Valent told a news conference in Zagreb. Vesna Skare-Ozbolt, a member of the HDZ presidency, said that "some more changes in the government are being considered." In reshuffling the government, President Tudjman will pay particular attention to strengthening the HDZ's centrist policy and making the state administration as efficient as possible, she said. HDZ presidency member Drago Krpina said that Jarnjak was among Croatia's longest-serving ministers. "He is one of those ministers who have performed their duties correctly, successfully and efficiently, and the qualities he has demonstrated have obviously motivated the President to put his services to good use in another office which at this moment is even more crucial for the state," he said. (hina) vm jn 121802 MET dec 96