CROATIAN DEMOCRATIC UNION MEETS WITH PENSIONERS PARTY

ZAGREB, Nov 29 (Hina) - Representatives of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) and the Croatian Pensioners Party (HSU) held talks on Saturday about the HSU's possible support to the HDZ to form the new government. #L# The talks are proceeding "very well" and the HSU representatives have outlined concrete proposals, HDZ vice president Jadranka Kosor told reporters, adding that the talks would resume on Monday afternoon, when an agreement should be defined. She said many HSU requests were acceptable to the HDZ, but added the HDZ team of experts needed to review them. HSU leader Vladimir Jordan said their requests referred to defining the model of servicing the debt to pensioners under the Constitutional Court decision, adjusting pensions to the growth of salaries, annually increasing pensions in line with the growth of GDP, and including 100 kuna plus six percent in the base pension. Jordan said it was agreed today that the two parties would jointly participate in the drawing up of a long-term pension scheme. The HSU has not asked to be part of the next government, he said, adding that he would support the premier-designate who accepted their requests. (hina) ha