BRIEF NEWS BULLETIN IN ENGLISH NO. 5160

HR-BULLETIN-Politika BRIEF NEWS BULLETIN IN ENGLISH NO. 5160 HINA Zagreb 7 December 2003MESIC BEGINS CONSULTATIONS ON PM-DESIGNATE ON MONDAYZAGREB, Dec 7 (Hina) - Croatian President Stjepan Mesic said on Sunday he would start consultations about forming a new government with Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) president Ivo Sanader on Monday. "We will see whether the premier-designate has a majority in parliament to form the government, namely written statements or verbal support from MPs," Mesic said at the International Women's Club's Christmas Fair. "I am confident that Sanader wants to form the government as soon as possible," said Mesic, adding that after the consultations he would call the first session of parliament. Mesic said he expected no problems in the transfer of authority given that the Ivica Racan cabinet was currently doing only technical tasks and not adopting strategic decisions. Conditions for starting the talks with representatives of parliamentary parties and coalitio