RACAN-BUDISA MEETING TO PRECEDE RULING COALITION MEETING

ZAGREB, Feb 28 (Hina) - The presidents of the ruling coalition's five parties will meet on Friday, while the heads of the Social Democrats (SDP) and the Social Liberals (HSLS), Ivica Racan and Drazen Budisa respectively, will hold a separate meeting before. A lot is expected from the meetings in the wake of the government crisis caused by Wednesday's resignation of all six HSLS government ministers. The coalition partners have been very restrained in commenting on the resignations, with only a few saying it represents a form of blow to the government, although they hope tomorrow's talks can amend the situation. Budisa is under special attention as the president of the party whose resigned ministers reproach it for squaring accounts with its founders and former vice presidents in an inadmissible fashion, without arguments and through the media. Despite the restraint in estimates of the outcome of tomorrow's talks, the meetings should offer a clearer answer as to the future of the coalition and the coalition government. HSLS spokesman Josko Kontic voiced hope the party would find solutions for the empty ministerial seats, in agreement with Prime Minister Racan, and that Budisa would be appointed to the office of deputy PM. (hina) ha sb