OPPOSITION SIX BEGIN TALKS ON CONCEPT OF NEW GOVERNMENT

ZAGREB, Jan 12 (Hina) - Presidents of the coalition of six parties, known as the "Opposition Six" met in Zagreb Tuesday to discuss the principles of constituting the new Government and Parliament. At the first post-electoral meeting, presidents of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Croatian Social Liberal Party (HSLS), Croatian Peasants' Party (HSS), Liberal Party (LS), Istrian Democratic Assembly (IDS) and the Croatian People's Party (HNS) began harmonising the concept of the functioning of the government and the majority seats in the Parliament. The aim of the concept is to ensure a unanimous political support of the six parties for the Government's key moves. SDP president and candidate of the six parties for prime minister, Ivica Racan, announced on Monday that the coalition would first try to harmonise the concept of functioning of the authorities, and then, five to six days later, agree among themselves the distribution of leading positions in ministries and the parliament. HSS president Zlatko Tomcic said the main goal of the six parties was to secure a stable majority in the Parliament, and thus, a stable and long-term Government. Tomcic said the coalition of four parties (LS, IDS, HNS and HSS) had their suggestion of a model of authority functioning, but would not insist on it. However, he said to the winning SDP-HSLS coalition, that the strong could concede to the weaker a little. Before parliamentary elections on January 3, the six parties signed an agreement committing to continue cooperating after the elections, and divide authority based on electoral results. (hina) lml