BUDISA, RACAN SPEAK OVER PHONE

ZAGREB, Feb 16 (Hina) - The president of the Croatian Social Liberal Party (HSLS), Drazen Budisa, has spoken with Prime Minister Ivica Racan on the phone and the two officials agreed on a meeting of the ruling coalition, to take place next week, HSLS vice-president and spokesman Josko Kontic said. Kontic did not say when the meeting would take place, but according to unofficial sources, it could take place in the middle of next week. Speaking to reporters after last night's session of the HSLS Executive Council, Budisa said the party had determined its political strategy for talks with the coalition partners and would contact the premier and ask for a meeting of the co-ordinating body of the five coalition leaders. The HSLS leader did not want to talk about the party strategy, explaining he first had to inform his political partners about it. Despite expectations and media speculations, the HSLS Executive Council last night did not discuss personnel issues, i.e. the fate of HSLS government ministers. It is expected Budisa will first inform his political partners about the party strategy and then address other issues. (hina) sb rml