MINISTER VITEZ APOLOGISES FOR INFLAMMATORY STATEMENTS

ZAGREB, March 28 (Hina) - The House of Representatives today continued its session under the chairmanship of Speaker Nedjeljko Mihanovic, who has just returned from the United States. The House first discussed a motion of no confidence in Culture Minister, Zlatko Vitez, tabled by the Liberal Bench and 14 Opposition deputies. Presenting the case for the Opposition, Liberal Bozo Kovacevic quoted Vitez's comments about Parliament at a recent session of the Croatian Radio and TV Council. Vitez allegedly said that "the Parliament was a henhouse where a lot of rot was talked." He had welcomed the Council's decision to cancel live Parliament broadcasts as an "a culturally and environmentally positive move." Quoting a recent Government decision that Government members may not publicly voice their personal opinions, but only the Government's position, Kovacevic asked the Prime Minister if the Government countenanced Vitez's views. Prime Minister Valentic said that he had asked Vitez to explain these statements. Vitez told him that he had made the inflammatory statements "in his thespian persona." "This statement is not the view of the Croatian Government and Vitez was not speaking on the behalf of the Government," Valentic emphasised. "I accept the criticism, but I urge the Parliament not to go ahead with the vote of no confidence. I apologise to the Parliament and call on Minister Vitez to be serious in his work," Valentic said. Zlatko Vitez said Kovacevic had taken the controversial statements "out of context." He said he was sorry that an actor's interpretation drew such strong reactions, reiterating that he was speaking in his own name and not on behalf of the Government. "On behalf of Vitez the actor and Vitez the minister, I apologise to the Croatian Parliament," Vitez said. The debate is still in full swing. (hina) jn as sd 281550 MET mar 95