OPPOSITION RESPONDS TO HDZ CRITICISM - STATEMENT

ZAGREB, Jan 3 (Hina) - A coalition formed of seven opposition parties on Wednesday denied allegations aired at a Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) party news conference held on Tuesday following opposition's taking over two key posts in Zagreb local government. #L# "It is not true that the opposition parties showed no will for compromise," a statement signed by Peasant Party leader, Zlatko Tomcic, said. "On the contrary we have answered to all HDZ's calls for talks both as a group and as individual parties. On Tuesday HDZ senior officials said that the opposition persistently rejected all the compromise proposals, during a month- lasting interparty negotiations preceding the City and County Assemblies' repeated constituent sessions. "The HDZ had actually urged such a compromise which had effectively meant that the coalition should give up its election victory and its right to the mayor post," the statement said. "This could not be a matter of bargain, because to make such a compromise would mean to betray to voters' will, and to discredit not only the coalition member parties but the democracy in Croatia in general. (Hina) mm bk 031650 MET jan 96