OPPOSITION CAN'T BE EXPECTED TO YIELD ANY FURTHER - SAYS RACAN

ZAGREB, July 16 (Hina) - Croatia's "opposition cannot be expected to yield any further," Social Democratic Party (SDP) president Ivica Racan told reporters in Zagreb on Friday, accusing the ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) for yesterday's interruption in negotiations on new electoral legislation. "It is obvious the ruling party lacks political will to transform HRT (Croatian Radio-Television) into a public medium, or to set the date of the elections," Racan said. He stressed the opposition had already made "big concessions" to reach consensus on an electoral legislation package, by abandoning its own law, already presented to the parliament. The Opposition Six party group persists in its wish to reach consensus, Racan said, but pointed out for Croatia's future, "the absolutely most important thing is that (the elections) be fair, regardless of the winner." He expressed hope negotiations will continue, on the line of the principle agreement the Opposition Six and the HDZ reached in May. Speaking about the announced electoral coalition between the SDP and the Croatian Social Liberal Party (HSLS), Racan said an agreement with HSLS president Drazen Budisa could be signed on August 2. SDP's president also commented on the claim made by some media that the SDP-HSLS coalition was conceived by the United States Embassy. It is a crude insult to both the U.S., a strategic partner of Croatia, and the two opposition parties, he said. (hina) ha