CROATIAN GOVERNMENT BEGINS TALKS WITH UNION ALLIANCE

ZAGREB, Feb 21 (Hina) - The Croatian government and the Alliance of Independent Unions of Croatia (SSSH) began closed-door talks on union demands in the Labour Ministry building early in the afternoon on Wednesday. About 5,000 SSSH members from all over the country gathered outside the building in support of the Alliance negotiating team. The chief government negotiator, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Joso Skara, said before the talks that "the government supports a social dialogue" and that he expected the talks to be held "in an atmosphere of tolerance." Skara said that the government did not agree to the talks because of today's union protest. (hina) vm mm 211435 MET feb 96