DC,HSLS CONFIRM NO COALITION FOR ELECTIONS

ZAGREB, Sep 9 (Hina)- The presidents of the Croatian Social Liberal Party (HSLS) and the Democratic Centre (DC), Drazen Budisa and Mate Granic respectively, on Tuesday confirmed to journalists that negotiations between the two parties concerning a possible coalition prior to the elections, had ended and that there would not be any form of coalition between the two parties. #L# The DC insists on key positions in both Slavonian units. The HSLS, however, considers this absolutely unacceptable, Budisa told Hina. If we were to give in that would mean that we would leave a quarter of Croatia to our partners which we simply cannot agree with because we consider every corner of the country to be equally important. He pointed stressed he was disappointed that a coalition could not be formed, adding that this would probably affect the overall opposition's electoral results. Granic told Hina that he believed the current opposition could win the elections. He expressed regret that negotiations with the HSLS had failed. He pointed out that the HSLS was still by far the closest party to his party and hoped that a post-election cooperation could be achieved. (Hina) sp it/ha