OPPOSITION SIX ARE DETERMINED TO CONTINUE COOPERATION -- BUDISA

ZAGREB, Aug 26 (Hina) - President of the Croatian Social Liberal Party (HSLS), Drazen Budisa, announced Thursday six opposition parties, allied as the Opposition Six, would sign an agreement on joint electoral and post-electoral cooperation at the beginning of September. He added they would not negotiate with the ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) until it begins respecting what had been previously agreed. "The Opposition Six are determined to continue the electoral and post-electoral cooperation, and will sign an agreement about the issue at the next meeting," Budisa said at the end of a five-hour meeting of the six parties. Budisa said the HDZ had breached its May agreement by taking the stand that the Law on the Croatian Radio and Television (HRT) was not a part of the packet of electoral laws. "Until the HDZ changes its standpoint, we hold there is no reason to continue negotiations," he added. Budisa said the six opposition party leaders discussed an agreement about a coalition between the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and HSLS, signed at the beginning of August in Split. He said the presidents of the six parties had not agreed about some parts of the agreement, especially concerning how much they were in line with some conclusions reached previously. The Opposition Six comprises the HSLS, SDP, the Liberal Party (LS), Croatian People's Party (HNS), Istrian Democratic Assembly (IDS), Croatian Peasants' Party (HSS). (hina) lml