LIBRA AND "HRAST" LEADERS SIGN COOPERATION AGREEMENT

OSIJEK, Jan 4 (Hina) - Libra's president Jozo Rados and the leader of the civil association "Hrast" (Oak), Vilim Herman, on Saturday signed a statement on cooperation the aim of which is to contribute to the progress of Croatia and to the enhancement of local and regional initiatives. #L# After they signed the document in Osijek, the two former members of the Croatian Social Liberal Party (HSLS) said they would together fulfil promises they had given to the voters before the last parliamentary elections and honour the same liberal principles which they did not abandon. Some of guidelines of their joint work refer to the democratisation of society and to the regional development of Slavonia and Baranja (east Croatia) which are, according to Herman, being neglected. Herman, who recently left the HSLS after his disagreement with HSLS leader Drazen Budisa, said the three programmes were of great importance for Slavonia: the construction of the European Vc corridor, the development of Osijek University, and the set-up of an agrobank. Libra chief Rados described the signing of the document with "Hrast", a civil association set up by some former HSLS members in Osijek, as "a step forward towards real values". Asked about relations between himself and Budisa, Rados said they disagreed in political judgements because Budisa had turned to the right in his political activity. Libra, said Rados, is acting as a centre party. "Privately, my communication with Budisa is good," Rados said. In Osijek, Rados signed an admission form to the "Hrast" association, while Herman signed one to Libra. With Herman joining, Libra has now 10 deputies in the Croatian parliament. The association "Hrast" has about a hundred members. In the Osijek- Baranja County assembly, four of the former five HSLS members have become representatives of "Hrast". (hina) ms