SEKS PUZZLED BY BUDISA'S STATEMENT

ZAGREB, July 19 (Hina) - Vladimir Seks, chief negotiator for the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) on Monday said he was puzzled by the statement of 'Opposition Six' coordinator Drazen Budisa saying the Opposition will not resume talks on new electoral legislation until the HDZ adopts major changes to its stand on Opposition proposals. "I hope this statement is not the final stand of the 'Opposition Six' because I believe it (the Opposition Six), like the HDZ, is aware that electoral legislation is one of the issues one has to reach an agreement on today, from the point of view of Croatia's national interest", Seks said in a statement today. Seks added the consensus in question was not only very close, but it had already been almost reached. "First of all, in negotiations held so far the HDZ has accepted and harmonised all concrete proposals by the Opposition, not only regarding the principles but also the concrete regulations of the law on the election of MPs", he said. According to Seks, the HDZ has also offered the Opposition to make a draft law on constituencies, and in case it did not want or could not do it, the task should be carried out by a mixed working group. We have not received any concrete answer to that proposal, the HDZ negotiator said. "Therefore, there is nothing the HDZ should change its stands on, because they either have been harmonised with Opposition proposals or there have been no proposals by the Opposition", he added. Seks also raises the question of the real reasons for the Opposition's wish to discontinue or freeze the talks, which are nearing successful completion, at a time when a consensus on electoral legislation is very important for Croatia's admission into Euro-Atlantic institutions. (hina) rml