BUDISA CONGRATULATES MESIC ON VICTORY OF CRO PRESIDENTIAL POLLS

ZAGREB, Feb 8 (Hina) - After the announcement of first unofficial results of Croatia's presidential run-off ballot, Drazen Budisa the candidate of the Social Democratic Party/Croatian Social Liberal Party (SDP/HSLS) coalition, congratulated his rival Stipe Mesic on the victory. Budisa wished the new Croatian President Mesic, who was the Croatian People's Party (HNS) candidate, success in his new responsible duty. He said he was confident that Mesic would closely cooperate with the Government and the National Parliament so that they can accomplish the joint programme of the six party block (SDP, HSLS, HNS, HSS, LS and IDS) they had offered to voters prior to the recent parliamentary and presidential elections. Budisa thanked all citizens who had gone to the polls and stressed Croatia had shown a high level of democracy in this period. He maintained that it was one more reason for him to be optimistic about the improvement of Croatia's international standing. Budisa expressed gratitude to voters who cast their vote for him, adding he had mustered over one million of ballots in Monday's run- off and therefore he felt under obligation to citizens, although he did not win the presidential race. Asked what he would do now, Budisa said he "will do what he has done before," recalling that he is the HSLS President and an MP in the House of Representatives, but first of all he would have a good rest. (hina) ms