GOVERNMENT FINALISES BILL ON TRANSFER OF POWER

ZAGREB, April 29 (Hina) - The Croatian Government on Thursday finalised a bill on the transfer of power, under which the outgoing government would have to prepare detailed reports for the incoming government on the situation in each department and a separate report on outstanding obligations. #L# The final draft of the bill determines which officials will have to offer their resignation after the change of government. "Croatia does not have so many qualified staff that it can afford to replace some 500 people every time the government changes," Prime Minister Ivo Sanader said at a Government session. When a newly-elected Government takes office, state secretaries, ministry secretaries, assistant ministers, the Government Secretary and his deputy, the heads of Government offices, agencies and institutes will have to offer their resignation. The new Government will have 60 days to decide whether to relieve them of their duties or reappoint them. The bill proposes that no decisions on new appointments should be made after the day on which parliamentary elections are called. An exception could be made only if it is necessary to ensure the unobstructed work of state bodies, in which case officials would be appointed for a limited period of time. The bill also proposes that the outgoing government should not conclude important agreements after the day on which elections are called, except in cases when the absence of such an agreement would cause substantial financial damage or compromise the country's international obligations. (Hina) vm