ZAGREB, Feb 18 (Hina) - According to a new bill on security services, Croatia would in the future have three, instead of four intelligence services, a government source, who wished to remain unnamed, said on Monday. The current
intelligence services would also change their names. The Service for the Protection of the Constitutional Order (SZUP) would become the Counter-intelligence Agency (POA), the Security Intelligence Service (SIS) would be renamed into the Military Intelligence Agency (VOA), and the Croatian Intelligence Service (HIS) would become the Intelligence Agency (OA). Heads of the state and government would by countersignature appoint heads of the services and forward their suggestion on potential heads to the parliamentary Committee for external affairs and national security. The committee would "hear" from the candidates, but its opinion would not be binding. After received opinion, the president
ZAGREB, Feb 18 (Hina) - According to a new bill on security
services, Croatia would in the future have three, instead of four
intelligence services, a government source, who wished to remain
unnamed, said on Monday.
The current intelligence services would also change their names.
The Service for the Protection of the Constitutional Order (SZUP)
would become the Counter-intelligence Agency (POA), the Security
Intelligence Service (SIS) would be renamed into the Military
Intelligence Agency (VOA), and the Croatian Intelligence Service
(HIS) would become the Intelligence Agency (OA).
Heads of the state and government would by countersignature appoint
heads of the services and forward their suggestion on potential
heads to the parliamentary Committee for external affairs and
national security.
The committee would "hear" from the candidates, but its opinion
would not be binding. After received opinion, the president and
prime minister would decide on the appointments.
According to data of those familiar with the appointment process,
the defense minister would be included in the appointment of the
head of VOA. The minister would initiate the appointment as the
future VOA head would, by new law, become an assistant defense
minister. The head of the state would supervise the security system
through the National Security Committee which would consist of the
state's president, Premier and relevant department ministers.
The new bill envisages the establishment of the National Security
Council, headed by deputy prime minister for national security.
Also making the council would be heads of security agencies.
The law on security services should be presented to the government
members on Thursday. Documents relating to the security system
should undergo two parliamentary readings, and the parliament
should adopt them by the beginning of April. After this, incumbent
chiefs of security services would offer their mandates.
(hina) np sb