POLITICIANS:BUDISA'S MOVE TO HAVE FAR-REACHING CONSEQUENCES

ZAGREB, July 11 (Hina) - Most leaders of parliamentary parties maintain that the resignation offered by the president of the Social Liberals (HSLS), Drazen Budisa, from the party's leadership, will have far-reaching consequences for the Croatian political scene. Budisa tendered his resignation effective immediately on Wednesday afternoon. Liberal Party (LS) president Zlatko Kramaric said he had got the impression that "the HSLS has been rendered leaderless, as a result of the latest developments." Kramaric could not see who could be Budisa's right successor and believed his resignation could lead to the worsening of the crisis in the ruling coalition, government and parliament. Democratic Centre (DC) president Mate Granic said it was obvious that the HSLS was divided after the party's senior body, 'Malo Vijece, had decided not to support the government's decision to act in accordance with the UN war crimes tribunal's (ICTY) request for the extradition of Croatian indictees. It has been evident that the party is so divided that the rift cannot be solved by compromise, Granic said. He assessed that Budisa's resignation would affect the stability of the incumbent government and the political situation in the country as the HSLS was the second strongest party in the ruling coalition. A leader of the Croatian People's Party (HNS), Radimir Cacic, said one could predict that Budisa would step down given that "there are deep rifts inside the HSLS, which has entered a cul-de-sac, and Budisa's resignation is the only exit." The head of the parliamentary bench of the strongest opposition party - HDZ - Vladimir Seks expressed regret over Budisa's decision, adding that it "is not good for the further political developments and the stability of the political scene." He declined to speculate on the possible break-up of the HSLS. A leader of the Istrian Democratic Alliance (IDS), Damir Kajin, said he would like to believe that Budisa's resignation would not affect the stability of the incumbent authorities in Croatia. This is certainly great stress for the HSLS and it remains to be seen what it will bring about on the political scene, Kajin said fearing that it might be polarised which was not good for the country. The Sabor Speaker and president of the Croatian Peasants' Party (HSS), Zlatko Tomcic, said that after Budisa's resignation the HSLS as well as the ruling coalition were in trouble. Tomcic said he was surprised by Budisa's decision, although he could guess the reasons for it. I hope that all of us will find the strength to overcome the current situation, Tomcic said. Croatian Government spokeswoman Aleksandra Kolaric declined to comment on Budisa's resignation saying it is a problem of a political party. Budisa tendered his resignation effective immediately in a letter forwarded to Zeljko Pavlica, the chairman of the party's senior body (Veliko Vijece) on Wednesday afternoon. There was no explanation for his move. The reasons are likely to be soon revealed at a session of another senior party body (Malo Vijece), set for this evening. At a session of the party assembly (Veliko Vijece) last Saturday, which focused on the party's stand to the indictments the ICTY recently served to the Croatian government, Budisa allegedly offered his resignation so as not to influence other party members regarding a government decision of July 7. On that day, the government decided to comply with the Hague tribunal's request concerning two indictments, which the media believe refer to generals Rahim Ademi and Ante Gotovina. Budisa said that he was against the government's decision. During the session of the government, one HSLS minister voted against the Ivica Racan Cabinet's decision, two HSLS ministers abstained, whereas two HSLS ministers voted for it. Following that event, four of five HSLS members in the Racan cabinet offered their resignation. (hina) ms