GOTOVAC: "OPPOSITION SIX" TO MEET WITH HDZ ON THURSDAY

ZAGREB, Dec 1 (Hina) - The meeting between the six Opposition party leaders and representatives of the ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) will be held on Thursday at 9am in the Presidential Palace in Zagreb, announced Vlado Gotovac, the current spokesman for "the Opposition six". "We believe that both sides are aware of how important it is for political life to develop within a framework which allows for serious work, lessens tension, prevents negative developments and leads to an atmosphere whereby just and democratic elections may be held", Gotovac told reporters, answering questions about his expectations from the meeting. The leaders of the "Opposition six", comprising the Liberal Party (LS), Croatian Social Liberal Party (HSLS), Social Democratic Party (SDP), Croatian Peasants' Party (HSS), Croatian People's Party (HNS) and the Istrian Democratic Assembly (IDS), met on Tuesday to discuss their standpoints concerning the meeting with the HDZ. Talks between the six opposition leaders and the HDZ will focus on the establishment of a commission of inquiry to probe into the work of secret services and on election laws, Gotovac said. Two weeks ago, representatives of the six Opposition parties resigned from all parliamentary posts except from those as MPs due to the refusal of their request on the establishment of the commission of inquiry by the HDZ majority in the Croatian National Sabor. (hina) jn ab/rml