RULING HDZ & OPPOSITION SIX INTERRUPT NEGOTIATIONS ON ELECTIONS

ZAGREB, July 15 (Hina) - The negotiations on new electoral legislation the ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) and the Opposition Six party group had held over the past several months were interrupted on Thursday due to the refusal of either side to change their stance regarding the date of the next elections.#L# The ruling party believes the date of the elections need not be decided on before consensus is reached regarding an electoral legislation package. The Opposition Six, on the other hand, conditions the consensus on elections called by December 5 at the latest. The negotiations "have failed at this stage, but there are prospects that the HDZ eliminate this standstill," Opposition Six coordinator Drazen Budisa told reporters in Zagreb after talks with HDZ negotiator Vladimir Seks. "If that happens, there is hope to reach consensus," he said. "Never say never," said Seks, adding he believes the negotiations have not failed, but "only stalled a little." Seks did admit the starting points are firmly opposed. The ruling party's negotiator said consensus would be possible if the Opposition Six changed its views. He suggested that the President of the Republic, who calls the elections in line with the Constitution, choose among four dates between December 19 and January 23. According to HDZ's proposal, possible election dates are December 19, January 9, 16, or 23. Budisa believes the President of the Republic, if he wanted to, could call the elections tonight. He asserted the President could not be exempt from the negotiating process, particularly in view of his talks on elections earlier this year with Budisa and Ivica Racan, the president of the Social Democratic Party. Budisa and Seks today also failed to adjust views regarding a correspondence voting institute, and amendments to the Law on Croatian Radio-Television. (hina) ha