RULING COALITION CONVENES, ONLY THREE OF FIVE LEADERS ATTEND

ZAGREB, Feb 12 (Hina) - Croatia's five-party ruling coalition began a meeting at Weiss villa around 1.30 p.m. on Wednesday but only three party leaders arrived -- Ivica Racan of the Social Democrats, Zlatko Tomcic of the Croatian Peasant Party, and Libra's Jozo Rados. #L# Croatian People's Party president Vesna Pusic did not show up, nor did Liberal Party (LS) vice president Zlatko Kramaric. Kramaric told Hina he had been invited to attend by Racan but that LS president Ivo Banac, who is in the United States, suggested he did not go. He said Banac should be asked about the reasons for his request. According to unofficial announcements, today's meeting should address topical issues and help harmonise a protocol on the functioning of the coalition for the remainder of its office. This document should define electoral rules, the model of the election law, and the exact date of the next parliamentary ballot. (hina) ha