CROATIAN PEASANTS PARTY READY TO STAY IN COALITION

ZAGREB, March 11 (Hina) - The Croatian Peasants' Party (HSS) on Monday said it is ready to stay in the coalition and dismiss the idea of Luka Trncotic to enter the government's cabinet if the coalition partners give up the request for its expansion. Trncotic told reporters this means the HSS would give up its deputy premier seat in the government if Social Liberals agree to have, as was the case so far, only one, and not two representatives in the cabinet. The HSS presidency, in conclusions of today's session, said it does not insist on an expansion of the government and accepts that it keep the same number of members if the Social Democratic Party and the Croatian Social Liberal Party agree on disputable issues among themselves. The HSS categorically rejects insinuations that the party contributed to the crisis in the coalition. The presidency said the HSS was ready to stay in the coalition and contribute to the realisation of the government's programme. The HSS insists that all disputes be solved by an agreement of coalition partners, as stipulated by a coalition contract, and says it is unacceptable that issues in dispute be passed onto the parliament and the government. (hina) np sb