SABOR DISCUSSES PROPOSAL TO REVOKE ITS AWARD FOR PROMOTION OF PARLIAMENTARISM

ZAGREB, April 22 (Hina) - Croatia's Parliament on Thursday evening wrapped up its session with a debate on revoking the 'Zlatni Grb' ('Golden Coat-of-Arms') award which the Sabor presented last year for the first time for contribution to the promotion of parliamentarism.#L# Most parliamentary clubs supported the annulment of the award. Only Ljubica Lalic of the Croatian Peasant Party (HSS) club opposed this move saying that the award should continue to be presented to persons who have given special contribution to parliamentarism, democracy and tolerance. During the debate, MPs agreed that it was beyond doubt that last year's recipients of the award, Vlatko Pavletic and Baltazar Jalsovec, had deserved the award, however, they added that the sum of 100,000 kuna which went with the award was not appropriate to Croatia's economic situation. The parliament earlier wrapped up a debate on a bill on a ban on the use, storage and production of land mines and on their destruction. All parliamentary clubs unanimously supported the bill. On the other hand, a debate on the government-sponsored changes to the Law on Service in the Armed Forces caused a heated debate. Although a majority of the clubs supported changes introducing criteria for the so-called presidential retirement of armed forces' officers, later on some MPs exchanged insults while discussing this topic. Under the proposed changes, 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. The parliament will continue nits 6th session tomorrow. (Hina) ms