COALITION WILL DISCUSS GOVT. RESHUFFLE AT END OF WEEK - RACAN

ZAGREB, Nov 5 (Hina) - Prime Minister Ivica Racan on Monday announced that he would discuss a possible government reshuffle with his ruling coalition partners at the end of the week. "A mini-reshuffle, if involving only certain government members, ministers' deputies and assistants, will be on the agenda. The issue can be discussed and resolved if the ruling coalition reaches an agreement on it," Racan told a news conference. He reiterated that he gave up the notion of a radical reshuffle and changes to the government's concept when he realised that this would mean that the government and parliament would take several months discussing only this issue, while placing aside other issues which need discussion. The prime minister said that requests for a government reshuffle made by some parties of the ruling coalition were legitimate. "Such requests are legitimate and I do not object to talks about concrete suggestions as soon as I see them," he said. Racan announced that the government would also discuss a draft government budget for 2002. A document on the government's strategic priorities for the second half of its mandate is also being drawn up. Racan stressed that, as far as he knew, negotiations on an arrangement with the International Monetary Fund were on a positive course. (hina) lml