MEETING OF COALITION LEADERS ENDS

ZAGREB, March 12 (Hina) - The Croatian Social Liberal Party (HSLS) president, Drazen Budisa, after a meeting of the ruling five coalition parties on Tuesday, said he is optimistic about finding a quick way out of coalition crisis. Presidents of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), the Croatian Peasants Party (HSS) and the Liberal Party (LS) were present while the Croatian Peoples Party (HNS) president, Vesna Pusic, left this morning for Split. It was agreed that Budisa will enter the government as a deputy premier and take over coordinating internal and foreign policies, reporters were told. Goran Granic will remain first deputy premier as an independent member. His seat is not part of the quota of Social Liberals, Premier Ivica Racan said. Racan said he will accept resignations by HSLS ministers Alojz Tusek and Goranko Fizulic, and that the date of their departure will be decided later. The coalition agreed to a HSS proposal that a representative of that party will not enter the government's cabinet as a deputy premier. It was agreed that ministers from HSS, as well as from HNS and LS become members of the cabinet, as specified in the government's rule book. The coalition will meet again on Friday to discuss a programme agreement. (hina) np sb .