PM RACAN REGRETS IDS' DEPARTURE FROM RULING COALITION

ZAGREB, June 4 (Hina) - Prime Minister Ivica Racan regretted on Monday the decision of the Istrian Democratic Assembly (IDS) to leave the ruling six-party coalition. He emphatically said, however, this would not significantly disrupt relations within the coalition despite a certain adverse impact on the political scene.#L# Racan told a monthly press conference he personally and his party, the Social Democrats (SDP), did not advocate early elections. "Early elections will be held if they are inevitable, if the government crisis becomes such that they cannot be avoided. But early elections are not what I personally advocate, or what my party and, as far as I know, some other parties advocate," said Racan. A lot depends on the impending constituting of local government, he added. Racan elaborated on an offer by the ruling coalition proposing the formation of a big coalition in the constituting of authorities in some counties. He said a coalition between the SDP and the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), the strongest opposition party, was out of the question "as long as the HDZ does not become a party which negates the politics which in the past we found unacceptable." The prime minister said the ruling six parties did propose holding talks on the formation of so-called big coalitions in three counties (Vukovar-Srijem, Sisak-Moslavina, Lika) after analyses showed it would prove difficult to constitute county authorities without a major coalition. The talks have been offered but this does not mean they will be successful, Racan said, adding that in case of failure the situation in those counties might deteriorate. The offer does not imply a relaxation of our priorities, which is forming coalitions among the six ruling parties, he said. (hina) ha sb