Hagara: HZDS Will Win Elections 25% Ahead of Others

. Hagara was commenting on the results of a recent election-preferences opinion poll that indicated a drop in Slovak Democratic Coalition (SDK) preferences and very high sympathy for the Party of Civil Understanding (SOP). "The Movement has never declared that after the elections it would not go with one or another party into coalition after the elections. The result of elections will show whether an eventual marriage with other parties is possible. In this point we are different from Rudolf Schuster`s Party, which declared it would not go to the elections with Mečiar or Gašparovič," he claimed. Hagara said the SDK, except for arrogance, has nothing to offer to the citizens. To the question whether the resigning Slovak Ambassador to the Czech Republic will replace HZDS vice chair for media politics Olga Keltošová, Hagara replied it is too soon to elaborate. He said that Keltosova will leave for New York in April, and until the HZDS congress on April 25-26, Mrs. Keltošová remains vice chair. Slovak Ambassador to the Czech Republic Ivan Mjartan officially submitted his resignation request, on Tuesday. Mjartan said for SITA that he intends to quit Prague by June 30, 1998, at the lat est. He also confirmed that he is coming for a brief visit to Bratislava. He explained that his frequent visits are a consequence of his resignation and return to the active politics in Slovakia. He re-stated for SITA that he intends to run for the Movement for a Democratic Slovakia (HZDS) during the upcoming parliamentary elections.