TUDJMAN STILL OPEN FOR TALKS WITH OPPOSITION - HDZ SPOKESMAN

ZAGREB, Dec 11 (Hina) - President Tudjman is still open for dialogue with the "Opposition Six" parties, but without any conditioning that his state function be separated from that as president of the ruling HDZ, the newly-appointed Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) spokesman told reporters on Friday. "I believe the talks will be held, but it is up to the 'Opposition Six' to decide whether talks will be held with each party separately or together," said Ropus. The HDZ spokesman refuted speculation that early elections should be held next April or May. The elections would be held in regular time, in late 1999 or early 2000, he said. Zlatko Canjuga, the newly-appointed vice president of the HDZ, assessed the recent session of the party's National Committee had confirmed the strong unity and political togetherness within the HDZ as the people's centrist party without any prevalent current. HDZ's aim in the future was to "ensure the full social and economic stability of every Croat," said Canjuga. He announced a special task would be "fighting all negative manifestations from the communist legacy, in all segments of society, in economy, the judiciary, and in the tabloids." (hina) ha jn