TUDJMAN MEETS FOUR PARLIAMENTARY OPPOSITION PARTIES

ZAGREB, Dec 3 (Hina) - Croatian President Franjo Tudjman on Thursday received representatives of four opposition parties, while another group of opposition parties, known as "the Opposition six", did not accept the invitation for a meeting, as announced on Wednesday. The leaders of the Croatian Party of Rights (HSP), Croatian Pure Party of Rights (HCSP), Croatian Christian Democratic Union (HKDU) and the Christian Democrats (KD) described the meeting as exceptionally useful. President Tudjman and party officials had a constructive discussion on how to stabilise the situation in the country's political life, especially in the Parliament. We are all aware of economic and social problems but a good solution to those problems can be found through the cooperation of all, the President's Chief-Of-Staff Ivica Kostovic said after the talks. The Opposition six did not use the opportunity to present those issues which have in their opinion caused a parliamentary crisis, Kostovic added. He recalled that two meetings had been scheduled for today - one with the Opposition six, consisting of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Croatian Social Liberal Party (HSLS), Croatian Peasants' Party (HSS), Liberal Party (LS), Istrian Democratic Assembly (IDS) and Croatian People's Party (HNS), and the other with representatives of other opposition parties and national minorities in the Parliament. The Opposition six cancelled their Thursday meeting late Wednesday because their request for talks to be held in Tudjman's capacity exclusively as the president of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) and not as President of the State, had not been met. A high-ranking HDZ official and Parliament Vice President, Vladimir Seks, said today's meeting showed a high degree of agreement concerning important strategic issues and the definition of problems facing the Croatian society and state. "I hope that talks between the representatives of parliamentary parties and national minorities on one side and representatives of the Croatian state authority on the other will lead to the beginning of other talks in which we will be able to exchange opinions and enrich Croatia's political life", said HSP president Anto Djapic. HKDU president Marko Veselica said the talks "have created an atmosphere of dialogue". "We oppose any lack of tolerance and believe that Croatian political parties must be ready for dialogue; we have to develop mutual trust. We must not allow instrumentalisation of political parties and representatives by foreign strategies, although we have to respect international factors in the interest of the Croatian state", Veselica said. HCSP president Ivan Gabelica said he had presented economic problems whose solution, in his opinion, was crucial for the solution of all other problems and for the strengthening of the Croatian state. The most important political value is the preservation of Croatia's statehood, said Gabelica adding that the continuation of the talks was in the interest of all who cared for Croatia. Problems cannot be solved through conflicts, he added. The talks have proved that there is willingness for a solution of problems, said the leader of the Christian Democrats of Medjimurje, Vladimir Mesaric. The Opposition six "has the intention of finding proper solutions to crisis situations", Mesaric said adding that the meeting should be held. "It should not be important whether the talks are held on the state president or the party levels. If there is willingness to solve problems, then these details are completely superfluous and symbolic", he concluded. (hina) jn rml.