ZAGREB, Oct 17 (Hina) - Croatia's Minister of Maritime Affairs, Transport and Communications has stated that the chairman of the Telecommunications Council, Zeljko Debanic, on Friday refused to make available to the ministry's
supervisory board documents on the issuing of a fixed telephony operation licence to the "Divan" company, as well as documents on the company.
ZAGREB, Oct 17 (Hina) - Croatia's Minister of Maritime Affairs,
Transport and Communications has stated that the chairman of the
Telecommunications Council, Zeljko Debanic, on Friday refused to
make available to the ministry's supervisory board documents on the
issuing of a fixed telephony operation licence to the "Divan"
company, as well as documents on the company. #L#
Zuvanic also claims that the supervisory board was also denied
access to the minutes from the Council's session of October 14, when
the decision to grant Divan an operation licence was adopted.
Speaking to Hina on the phone this afternoon, Zuvanic said he
insisted on access to the documents, so as to investigate, among
other things, the company's background, i.e. its funds, the
identity of the provider of bank guarantees, etc. The ministry
welcomes in principle the arrival of the new fixed telephony
operator at the Croatian market, and maintains that consumers will
benefit the most from that.
Zuvanic criticised Debanic for "privatising" the Council and
promoting "his own interests".
He also wondered if the Council was allowed to make such a decision
ahead of the establishment of a new telecommunications agency.
The new law on telecommunications, adopted this summer, envisages
the establishment of such an agency, which should comprise the
existing Telecommunications Council and Telecommunications
Institute, which act as interim bodies.
The government has still not nominated members of the agency for
telecommunications. Since the parliament was dissolved today,
members of the agency will be chosen by the new parliament.
(hina) rml sb