BUDISA ORGANISES DINNER FOR PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES

ZAGREB, Jan 7 (Hina) - Seven presidential candidates - Drazen Budisa, Mate Granic, Stipe Mesic, Ante Prkacin, Tomislav Mercep, Ante Ledic and Slaven Letica - met for a dinner at a Zagreb restaurant on Thursday evening. The dinner was organised by the president of the Croatian Social Liberal Party (HSLS), Drazen Budisa. The two other candidates, Zvonimir Separovic (independent candidate) and the Croatian Party of Rights' (HSP) Anto Djapic were unable to attend due to earlier commitment. Budisa, who is the candidate of the Social Democratic Party- Croatian Social Liberal Party (SDP/HSLS), said he believed it was good for the candidates to meet in a "pleasant atmosphere and, if possible, reach a gentlemen's agreement on how the competition would run." Mate Granic, the candidate of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), believes the campaign will be serious and difficult. He also said Budisa was his most serious rival. Ante Prkacin, the candidate of the New Croatia party, expected an exciting campaign, whereas Tomislav Mercep, candidate of the Croatian Popular Party (HPS), expected the competition to be fair and "for the one who is liked best by the people to win." Ante Ledic, an independent candidate, said he was a businessman for the largest part of his life, but now intended to enter politics and stay in it. Independent candidate Slaven Letica would try to bring into the campaign a new type of political discourse and treat other candidates as his rivals and friends rather than enemies. Stipe Mesic, candidate of the "Opposition Four", believes power cannot corrupt him as he had already passed that 'test' in his political career. The presidential candidates were accompanied by their wives. The dinner, which cost 150 kuna per person, was paid by HSLS's sponsors and supporters. The menu included Dalmatian specialties - octopus salad and seafood, cod, inkfish risotto, shrimps, dog's tooth... (hina) rml