ADLESIC: HSLS-DC COALITION WON'T BE IN LEFT COALITION

BJELOVAR, Nov 25 (Hina) - Croatian Social Liberal Party vice president Djurdja Adlesic told a news conference on Tuesday that the coalition of her party (HSLS) and the Democratic Centre (DC) would today start talks on future steps. #L# Adlesic said the coalition would not offer itself to anybody, but "it is certain that it will not join the left coalition". On Monday, the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) chief, Ivo Sanader, said he was beginning talks with possible coalition partners and that he had already talked with the presidents of the HSLS and the DC, Drazen Budisa and Mate Granic respectively. At the news conference in Bjelovar Adlesic expressed regret over poor results of HSLS-DC slates in Sunday's elections. Voicing satisfaction with the pre-election campaign, she congratulated the HDZ on the victory and Ivica Racan on having admitted the defeat, as this was, she said, a democratic act. She thanked all voters who cast their ballots for the HSLS-DC coalition. Adlesic and Ivan Cehok are the only two HSLS members who will have seats in the new Sabor. (hina) ms