DJAPIC ADVOCATES NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN FORMER OPPOSITION PARTIES

ZAGREB, Nov 25 (Hina) - The president of the Croatian Party of Rights (HSP), Anto Djapic, said on Monday his party advocated a government comprised of four parties which discussed the forming of a coalition before the Sunday election -- the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), the HSP, the Croatian Social Liberal Party (HSLS) and the Democratic Centre (DC). Djapic said he was not in favour of forming a coalition with the Croatian Peasant Party (HSS). #L# Djapic told a news conference the four parties would have the majority in parliament adding that it was not necessary to negotiate the forming of the government with the HSS. "I am more in favour of a government without the HSS, because a slim parliamentary majority does not have to be a problem if all parties assume a responsible role," Djapic said and added that he expected representatives of national minorities to show a minimum level of fairness, namely to show restrain regarding the relations between the parliamentary majority and the opposition. He said the HSP would consider possible negotiations with the HSS only after an agreement between the four partner parties. "However, the question is whether or not the HDZ is ready to negotiate with us as its coalition partner," Djapic added. He said that should the HSP be included in the government, the party would request a post of a vice prime minister and one state ministry. Commenting on announcements that the new government would also comprise national minority representatives, Djapic said his party would not join a coalition with Serb minority representatives of whom he expected to support the HSP's request for war damages from Serbia and Montenegro. Slaven Letica, who entered parliament as an independent candidate on the HSP slate, said he would soon organise a briefing for EU ambassadors at which the HSP would try to assure them that the party opted for Europe. (hina) it sb