HSLS REPRESENTATIVES URGE STABILISING PARTY

ZAGREB, Feb 2 (Hina) - Participants in the 10th electoral assembly of the Croatian Social Liberal Party (HSLS) have said the party must find a way out of what may be the deepest crisis in its 13 year-long history and stop seeking reasons for the current crisis in its political partners and the media. Discussing reports on the party's work since the previous party assembly, HSLS representatives warned about internal problems, such as the division into "SDP and HDZ supporters", lack of a "fine- tuned communication mechanism" and party auto-destruction. Party representatives called on the leadership to work towards strengthening and stabilising the party, abandon politicising and regain the trust of the electorate with defined activities and give more room to young and competent members. To recover, the party needs leaders who will not cause rifts, people who are renowned where they come from and do not need the party for realising their own interests, it was said. One of the speakers at the convention, Goran Granic, said he could offer Drazen Budisa his hand in reconciliation despite the campaign that was being conducted against him (Granic). "I forgive Budisa everything he has said about me, I can ask him to forgive me if I unintentionally hurt him and I can offer him my hand in reconciliation and say that the party is big enough for both of us," Granic said, adding, however, he could not, without any reservations, entrust to Budisa his entire political career because Budisa had not done anything in the past two years to make him believe he could do it. Speaking about the government's work, Granic said the government had managed to change Croatia and prepare reforms. (hina) sb rml