HDZ, SDSS SIGN AGREEMENT ON COOPERATION, SUPPORT TO NEW GOVERNMENT

ZAGREB, Dec 18 (Hina) - The Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) and the Independent Serb Democratic Party (SDSS) signed a political cooperation agreement on Thursday under which the SDSS' three MPs will support HDZ leader Ivo Sanader's cabinet.#L# Talking to reporters after today's closed-door negotiations, HDZ vice president Andrija Hebrang said a successful agreement had been reached, which he added was the result of the HDZ policy of full cooperation with the SDSS and its MPs. SDSS president Vojislav Stanimirovic said the agreement was good and fair. "We saw the new government's sensitivity to the problems we face as a minority," he said, voicing confidence that there would be understanding for difficulties in reconstruction and refugee returns and that they would be eliminated within deadlines. Stanimirovic said the incoming government would allow those willing to return and have their pre-war homes reconstructed to exercise their rights, and that the SDSS would support the government's policy regarding European integration and cooperation with neighbours. He added the SDSS also supported the announced reform of the judicary. Asked if Serbs would be appointed to a certain number of assistant ministerial posts, Stanimirovic answered in the affirmative. He said today's agreement envisaged that the government would return to Serbs through June 2004 all property which was currently occupied without valid documentation. (Hina) ha sb