MESIC ENDORSES RULING COALITION'S AGREEMENT ON PRINCIPLES

ZAGREB, March 9 (Hina) - Croatian President Stjepan Mesic commented relations within the ruling coalition and said he supported an agreement among the parties if it can be reached based on principles, not personal ambitions. In the contrary, he said, he advocates elections. The president said a solution to the crisis has not yet been reached, and added that those elected should fulfil what they promised in the electoral campaign. During today's meeting with reporters, Mesic said he will hold a meeting with representatives of the ruling coalition and other parliamentary parties if the situation is not resolved shortly. The crisis must be solved within a couple of days because "we cannot be hostages to the crisis or somebody's ambitions, which may even be impossible," said Mesic. When asked about who he considered the chief culprit for the crisis, the president said the person which most of the Croatian people consider is the culprit. The government has a solid majority in parliament, but the problem is that the government cannot function if it is not trusted by 9its members, Mesic said. Asked whether he believes Premier Ivica Racan should accept all conditions set by Croatian Social Liberal Party's president Drazen Budisa, Mesic said "ministers are placed in offices by agreement of parties and the prime minister who forms the government. If anybody should leave the government, it should be done by agreement of the party which offered the minister, as well as of the prime minister, but not with ultimatums," Mesic said. (hina) lml sb