Mesic described as inappropriate Sanader's announcement of a return topolitics and as "a certain message" the appearance of some HDZmembers of parliament at Sanader's press conference at the party headquartersearlier today, when he made the announcement.

"Just like Ivo Sanader's stepping down as prime minister (in July)surprised everyone and many think that it was inappropriate and harmful forCroatia, his return to politics is now inappropriate in a certain way as well,because this return to politics will be interpreted differently. If some (HDZ)MPs appear with the honorary president and not in the company of the partypresident, that's certainly a message," Mesic said on Croatian Radio.

He did not assess today's events as a coup within the HDZ "in the truesense of the word".

"I think ... the party is functioning, its bodies are functioning andthese calls for early elections are certainly rushed," Mesic said, addingit would be a precedent if early parliamentary elections were called in themiddle of presidential elections.

Mesic said that as president, he had "successfully cohabitated with theincumbent HDZ president" and voiced confidence that his successor would beequally successful, adding he was certain that the term of the incumbentgovernment would not be decided only by some within the HDZ.

"That's a test of political wisdom for other parties as well. Everyonemust estimate what is useful for Croatia today, what is useful for Croatia'sdemocracy and not for individuals or some parties. The political wisdom ofother parties as well as of the people in the HDZ will be assessed now."

Mesic went on to say that the HDZ's honorary president, Sanader's positionnow, "doesn't lead the party operationally" and that "if heundertakes something within the party's framework", it must be"agreed with the party leadership and president".

Mesic added that he did not know if Sanader had convened the pressconference at the HDZ HQ himself.