BRIEF NEWS BULLETIN IN ENGLISH

HR-MEETING-Politika BRIEF NEWS BULLETIN IN ENGLISH BRIEF NEWS BULLETIN IN ENGLISH NO. 4798HINA Zagreb, November 9, 2002SDP LEADER RACAN: PARTY MEMBERS SUPPORT LEADERSHIPTUHELJSKE TOPLICE, Nov 9 (Hina) - Addressing reporters during a break at Saturday's annual party meeting, the leader of the Social Democrats (SDP), Ivica Racan, said party members had supported the leadership, however, they also urged better communication within the party. Racan said that participants in the meeting had spoken critically about the performance of the ruling coalition, however, he believed that the SDP, as the strongest partner, had to shoulder more responsibility than other coalition partners. He dismissed speculation about an early election, adding that the SDP wanted ?he government mandate to be implemented fully. Speaking about union claims on strikes in public companies, Racan said the government was ready for talks with the unions, but it would not accept threats and requests for non-existent budget