PRESIDENT TUDJMAN OFFERS HSLS PARTICIPATION IN GOVT RESTRUCTURING

ZAGREB, Jan 26 (Hina) - Considering the announced restructuring of the Government and the overall circumstances in internal and foreign policy, Croatian President Franjo Tudjman invited Croatian Peasants' Party (HSS) president Zlatko Tomcic, Croatian Social- Liberal Party (HSLS) president Drazen Budisa and Social-Democratic Party (SDP) president Ivica Racan for separate talks, the President's office reported on Tuesday. The invitation was accepted by Budisa and Racan while HSS president Tomcic, in a letter to the Presidential Chief-of-Staff Ivica Kostovic, said he did not accept the invitation because the topic "the announced restructuring of the Government" was not acceptable under the current circumstances. President Tudjman suggested to HSLS president Budisa that the HSLS participate in restructuring the Government, considering the successful cooperation between the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) and HSLS on some local levels. Budisa refused the offer explaining his decision with this year's elections. Internal and foreign affairs was the main topic during President Tudjman's meeting with SDP's president Racan. They agreed that the existing problems should be dealt with through dialogue and mutual respect, with the aim of successfully resolving internal problems and strengthening Croatia's international position, the statement concluded. (hina) jn rml