OPPOSITION PARTY URGES GOVT. TO START DIALOGUE WITH DOCTORS' UNION

ZAGREB, Jan 21 (Hina) - The Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) on Tuesday called on Premier Ivica Racan and Health Minister Andro Vlahusic to urgently begin social dialogue with the Croatian Doctors' Union (HLS), in connection with the ongoing doctors' strike. #L# The HDZ most sharply condemns the actions of the government that "is showing absolute social insensitivity and unnecessarily politicising the situation at hand," HDZ leaders said following a meeting with the president of HLS, Ivica Babic. After the meeting, Babic stated that the HLS was "taken aback by the repression by... Vlahusic who... has asked listing the participants in the strike by name, which is contrary to the Constitution, the law and international conventions". Babic thanked the HDZ for its support and called on all political parties who had not met with HLS representatives to receive them and to try and initiate social dialogue, particularly the parties in the executive authority. (hina) sp/ha sb