RULING PARTY AND OPPOSITION HOLD CONSULTATIONS

ZAGREB, Nov 26 (Hina) - The date of parliamentary elections remains unknown after Friday's meeting between the ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) and representatives of parliamentary parties in opposition. Vladimir Seks (HDZ) said the meeting had been held in a cordial atmosphere. They had "only held mutual consultations regarding various dates of the elections," Seks said. He added they had discussed various dates for the holding of parliamentary elections this ear and next year, but nothing concrete had been decided. Seks announced that the HDZ regarding the date of elections would take up a stance at Friday's session of the HDZ Presidency. He told reporters he did not wish to predict a possible consensus among parliamentary parties concerning the date of elections. Coordinator of the Opposition Six alliance, Ivica Racan, described the meeting as good. Attending the talks was also Parliament president Vlatko Pavletic, who on Friday assumed the duties of the President of the Republic, pursuant to a Constitutional Law passed by the Croatian Constitutional Court on the temporary disability of the incumbent President to perform his duties. Racan said the HDZ had to make a decision when the elections would take place, and it depended on the ruling party whether or not it would make an electoral campaign possible. He warned that elections right before the Christmas and New Year's holidays would not be helpful. Racan said the most favourable date for the Opposition Six would be January 15, 2000. (hina) lml