CROATIAN SERB LEADER INFORMS PRESIDENT OF NEGOTIATIONS WITH HDZ

ZAGREB, Dec 9 (Hina) - After consultations with Croatian President Stjepan Mesic about appointing the premier-designate, the president of the Independent Democratic Serb Party (SDSS), Milorad Pupovac, said on Tuesday he informed the president that his party was negotiating with the likeliest primer designate, Ivo Sander, about issues important for the Serb community in Croatia. He added the president supported the negotiations. #L# "After the negotiations we will be able to tell the president and the public whether or not we will support Sanader's government," Pupovac told reporters. He added that the SDSS informed the president that it would not sign a coalition agreement with the HDZ and Sanader. Should negotiations with the HDZ be successful, Sanader can count on our external cooperation, Pupovac said. He, however, declined to say whether his party was ready to take part in the new government, adding that the Serb community was not interested in ministerial posts. He told reporters he personally did not receive such an offer. (hina) it