RACAN ON COOPERATION WITH BUDISA: I'M ALWAYS READY FOR DIALOGUE

ZAGREB, Dec 17 (Hina) - Croatian Prime Minister Ivica Racan on Monday left the issue of cooperation with the Croatian Social Liberal Party (HSLS), with Drazen Budisa at the helm, open. The Prime Minister said he was ready to hold talks with Budisa. Drazen Budisa has told the daily Vecernji List he considers Prime Minister Ivica Racan and his party the most accountable for the situation within the five-party ruling coalition. I am always ready for talks. The fact that we hadn't had talks for over several months is not my choice, the Prime Minister told Croatian Radio. Racan commented on Budisa's harsh statements from Saturday's interview with restraint. He said he was not personally offended, adding that such a behaviour in politics was not too clever. He said he did not see a reason why the latest events should dramatically affect the relations within the five-party ruling coalition. The Premier did not directly say whether his first deputy Goran Granic would have to leave the government, as Budisa announced should he come at the helm of the HSLS. Racan did not want to say which two great project, along with the building of the Zagreb-Split highway, the government was preparing in order to encourage development and employment. (hina) it