SEKS COMMENTS ON FAILURE OF OPPOSITION SIX TO ARRIVE FOR TALKS

ZAGREB, June 9 (Hina) - Despite an announcement that representatives of six opposition parties known as the Opposition Six will not arrive for talks on electoral legislature, president of the ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) parliament party bench, Vladimir Seks, arrived at the scheduled time and held a news conference Wednesday. He stressed he could not see the cause and effect connection between "initiating proceedings against former director of the Croatian Intelligence Agency (HIS) Zvonimir Separovic and a final agreement regarding the electoral legislature between the HDZ and Opposition Six". The Opposition Six decided Wednesday to discontinue talks with the HDZ until they receive relevant information about the Separovic case. "My only comment, and I would like to be wrong, is that there has been some turmoil within the Opposition Six and ...wishes that the agreement on basic principles of the electoral laws be cancelled". Seks said he would suggest to the Opposition Six that talks continue Thursday afternoon. He expressed conviction relevant bodies would soon supply them with official information about proceedings initiated against Separovic, which would then eliminate the Opposition Six's reason to abort talks on the electoral law. In case the opposition failed to agree on a continuation of the talks, Seks announced a draft electoral law, very similar to that of the HDZ's working version, would enter parliament procedure. The draft would be based on an agreement reached with the Opposition Six. included would also be certain solutions of an independent group of experts, and suggestions by other parliamentary parties and members of national minorities. (hina) lml jn