HDZ-OPPOSITION TALKS AT STANDSTILL DUE TO ISSUES OF LESS IMPORTANCE SEKS

ZAGREB, Aug 1 (Hina) - Negotiations between the Opposition Six and the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) have come to a standstill due to issues of secondary importance on which the six opposition parties have not agreed, said a Vice President of the HDZ, Vladimir Seks, in his interview with the Croatian Television. Seks told the flagship news programme on Saturday that he believed that a strategic compromise had been reached on all fundamental principles of the election legislation. Asked about his opinion on how the international community would respond in case that the parties to the negotiation abode by their stands, Seks said the international community would like that a consensus be made on the package of the election legislation. Reiterating that they had agreed on important elements in the package, Seks added that the HDZ would not be responsible for possible lack of full agreement. Failure to reach a total consensus will be accepted by the Council of Europe and the European Union as a normal political fact, the HDZ official said. Seks said the Opposition Six (SDP, HSLS, LS, HSS, HNS and IDS parties) intended to accept one of offered timetables for the election, as the voting before December 19 would mean an early election. Commenting on traffic gridlock and tailbacks of cars waiting on the mainland for ferries to travel to the island of Pag, Seks said it was unpardonable. Transport Minister, the Croatian Road Management's Director and the head of the "Jadrolinija" company should offer their resignations as a moral act, the HDZ official added. (hina) ms