ZAGREB, April 22 (Hina) - An MP of the Croatian Party of Rights (HSP) on Thursday slammed the government-sponsored changes to the Law on Service in the Armed Forces, protesting against Defence Minister Berislav Roncevic's not
attending today's parliamentary debate on the changes.
ZAGREB, April 22 (Hina) - An MP of the Croatian Party of Rights (HSP)
on Thursday slammed the government-sponsored changes to the Law on
Service in the Armed Forces, protesting against Defence Minister
Berislav Roncevic's not attending today's parliamentary debate on the
changes.#L#
Pero Kovacevic said it was no wonder that the situation in the Armed
Forces was unsatisfactory considering the fact that the Defence Law
and the Law on the Armed Forces lacked by-laws.
President Stjepan Mesic failed to pass six such regulations from
within his jurisdiction, the defence minister as many as 17 and the
government five, Kovacevic said, criticising the government for
failing to propose a long-term plan for the development of the Armed
Forces, a defence plan, and the army's war-time structure.
Since there were no government members at the session to defend the
proposed changes, Kovacevic also criticised the proposal referring to
the presidential pension, stating that the government had failed to
provide information on the users of such pensions.
Under the proposed changes to the Law on Service in the Armed Forces,
the defence minister could suggest for retirement by the president of
the republic an officer who served at least 10 years in the army,
fought in the Homeland War for at least six months, and received
commendations for performance in the last four years of service. If
the officer meets these criteria, he could retire regardless of
general retirement criteria.
Clubs of deputies will discuss the changes after a break.
(Hina) rml