ZAGREB, Feb 26 (Hina) - Croatian Defence Minister Zeljka Antunovic said in parliament Wednesday a request which could possibly be forwarded to Croatia to allow the use of its territory to foreign military forces would be debated by
parliament. She expressed government's hope that Croatia would not be faced with such request.
ZAGREB, Feb 26 (Hina) - Croatian Defence Minister Zeljka Antunovic
said in parliament Wednesday a request which could possibly be
forwarded to Croatia to allow the use of its territory to foreign
military forces would be debated by parliament. She expressed
government's hope that Croatia would not be faced with such
request. #L#
Zelimir Jagic of the Social Liberals (HSLS) asked what kind of a
legal foundation the government had when deciding to allow the
coalition forces to use Croatia's air space in case of a war in Iraq.
The minister said the government's decision was more of a political
character rather than operative and that it had all legal grounds.
He said the government did not allow the use of its air space to
foreign armed forces but to civilian transport aircraft.
Criticised by some opposition MPs that the government did not
consult parliament while adopting a decision regarding the Iraqi
crisis, Antunovic reminded that the issue had been discussed by the
parliamentary committees on internal and foreign affairs.
"The moment a possibility or an announcement of a request to allow
the use of Croatia's territory to military forces appears, the
request will be discussed in parliament," Antunovic said.
Dorica Nikolic of the Social Liberals said the premier and
Antunovic were deceiving the public because no special permission
was necessary for civilian (transport) aircraft to fly over
Croatia.
Deputy Health Minister Ante Bilic said during question time in
parliament that the government ordered doctors back to work in
order to enable citizens with adequate health protection of good
quality.
He said the government could not accept a union demand for a 45
percent increase in doctors' wages, but that wages would be
increased through special working conditions. Bilic also announced
the continuation of negotiations with the doctors' union.
Jadranka Kosor of the Croatian Democratic Union concluded question
time by asking of the war veterans' ministry would withdraw from
requesting war veterans to take the controversial US MMPI test.
War veterans minister Ivica Pancic said the test was supported by
Croatian experts and that it would be applied with some changes.
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