ZAGREB, Feb 12 (Hina) - The presidents of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Croatian Peasants Party (HSS) Ivica Racan and Zdravko Tomcic were today unified in their statements that during yesterday's and previous bilateral
meetings they had not spoken about the fate of the ruling coalition, especially not the date of parliamentary elections, but only relations between the two parties.
ZAGREB, Feb 12 (Hina) - The presidents of the Social Democratic
Party (SDP) and Croatian Peasants Party (HSS) Ivica Racan and
Zdravko Tomcic were today unified in their statements that during
yesterday's and previous bilateral meetings they had not spoken
about the fate of the ruling coalition, especially not the date of
parliamentary elections, but only relations between the two
parties. #L#
Both said this after Wednesday's meeting of the ruling coalition
which Croatian People's Party (HNS) president Vesna Pusic and
Liberal Party (LS) president Ivo Banac did not attend.
Racan told the press that he had not spoken with Tomcic about
relations in the five-party coalition, but only relations between
the SDP and the HSS, stating that "they were and will be" talks about
this issue.
He dismissed accusations by Pusic according to which the SDP and the
HSS were making decisions within the coalition during bilateral
talks, which is why she refused to attend today's session.
Decisions within the coalition will only be made in talks with all
five coalition parties, said Racan, stressing that he had held
bilateral talks with the leaders of all parties and that there would
be time for relations within the coalition to be reviewed "in
peaceful and rational talks".
Zlatko Tomcic told reporters that he was surprised at Pusic's
statements, adding that the practice according to which certain
parties meet bilaterally and hold talks without the coordination of
the coalition was well-known, but with the condition that they did
not make decisions as part of the coalition.
He confirmed to reporters that he had talked with Racan exclusively
about relations between the two parties. "That is our right which we
will maintain," he said.
"Our talks are proof that in these very complex conditions we are
trying to be responsible," he added.
Tomcic refused to comment on relations within the coalition,
stating that before Croatia submitted its application for
membership in the European Union, it would be "not particularly
politically wise to make conclusions about the coalition's fate".
In reply to a reporter's question whether there was a document on
the minimum functioning of the coalition until the end of its term,
Tomcic said he had never heard of such a document.
(hina) lml sb