BUDISA: WE DIDN'T ACCEPT PARTICIPATION IN GOVERNMENT RESTRUCTURING

ZAGREB, Jan 26 (Hina) - The Croatian Social-Liberal Party (HSLS) has rejected President Tudjman's offer to participate in restructuring the Government, HSLS president Drazen Budisa said on Tuesday after his one-hour talks with Croatian President Franjo Tudjman. Budisa said he had been invited for talks with Tudjman on Monday morning by the Presidential Chief-of-Staff Ivica Kostovic. Asked what the President's offer was, Budisa said he declined the possibility of participating in Government restructuring at the very beginning of the talks so that a discussion on concrete persons and ministries could not take place. I believe that a party president should respond to an invitation by the president of the state because it is one of the basic rules of political culture, Budisa said. However, in the election year, in which the ruling party has announced the beginning of the official campaign in early February, to accept that offer would mean to commit political suicide, Budisa added. After I declined the President's offer, we discussed numerous topics regarding Croatia's international position, as well as our internal political situation, Budisa said. Asked whether it is true that HSLS member Ivan Herak has already accepted a position in the Government, Budisa said Herak denied those claims before reporters today. He added that he would talk to Herak tomorrow morning. (hina) jn rml