OPPOSITION'S DEMAND FOR PARLIAMENTARY DEBATE ON INA TURNED DOWN

ZAGREB, July 16 (Hina) - The four benches of opposition parties -- HDZ, HSLS, HSP/HKDU and DC -- on Wednesday reiterated their joint demand for a debate on INA's privatisation to be included on the agenda of the extraordinary parliamentary session which started earlier in the day. Mato Arlovic, who chaired the session, turned down their motion explaining that their proposal was sent too late and that they did not give the necessary documents for discussion. #L# Vladimir Seks of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) bench reiterated the demand of the four opposition parties which asked the government to discontinue the procedure of selling 25 percent plus one share of INA to Hungary's MOL until MPs discussed all the elements of the sales agreement which the opposition labelled as unfavourable. The opposition maintains that two accompanying agreements, signed by the government, would make it possible for the Hungarian company to have 50-percent control in making strategic decisions, and MPs have not been notified of this, according to Seks. Drazen Budisa of the Croatian Social, Liberal Party (HSLS) accused the government of using tricks to reject the motion for discussion on INA's privatisation and of degrading the legislature. Chairman Arlovic said the opposition proposals could not be accepted because opposition MPs had not handed over documents required for a debate and had failed to submit the motion 24 hours before the start of the session. He called on the opposition to produce the necessary material, after which he would put their motion to the vote. (hina) ms sb