AGREEMENT BETWEEN SDP & HSLS NOT ABANDONING OPPOSITION SIX

RIJEKA, Aug 12 (Hina) - The agreement between the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the Croatian Social Liberal Party (HSLS) is by no means jumping out of the "Oppositions Six" and any such interpretation is the result of misunderstanding or intentional misinterpretation, SDP deputy president Mato Arlovic told journalists at a press conference held in Rijeka on Thursday. He claimed that the agreement between his party and the HSLS is just one of the models to be used to motivate citizens to partake in the coming elections and to vote for a democratic political opposition. We obliged ourselves with the June agreement with other Opposition Six parties to form a coalition government and that we would not cooperate with the ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) not before, nor during nor after the elections. We will adhere to this agreement in the literal sense, Arlovic said. SDP official and mayor of Rijeka, Slavko Linic stated that the most favourable opposition combination will only be possible to present to voters, after the election law has been finalised. Based on experience on the local level the SDP supports a wide range of pre-election coalition with the democratic opposition. Asked about possible cooperation with "HDZ's moderates", Arlovic stressed that each and every political fraction within the HDZ is responsible for the difficult situation in Croatia. Our party wishes to offer a true alternative to the HDZ and not to cooperate with that party which we are also obliged to by the agreement signed with other opposition parties, emphasised Arlovic. (hina) sp