ZAGREB, March 14 - MPs of the ruling coalition voted for the adoption of documents on the defence and national security strategies, while the opposition voted against their adoption on Thursday. Defence Minister Jozo Rados said the
government insists that the parliament by the end of March adopt the documents, as well as a set of bills from the military and defence system, because lingering would postpone the much needed reforms of the Defence Ministry and Armed Forces, While ruling parties supported the documents, the opposition's Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) and Croatian Party of Rights (SDP) dismissed them explaining that a more serious discussion should be held and a consensus reached. They said it is impossible to discuss the strategies in an atmosphere of "selling of Croatia's national treasure", referring to the privatisation of INA and HEP. The HSP said that the parliament also cannot
ZAGREB, March 14 - MPs of the ruling coalition voted for the
adoption of documents on the defence and national security
strategies, while the opposition voted against their adoption on
Thursday.
Defence Minister Jozo Rados said the government insists that the
parliament by the end of March adopt the documents, as well as a set
of bills from the military and defence system, because lingering
would postpone the much needed reforms of the Defence Ministry and
Armed Forces,
While ruling parties supported the documents, the opposition's
Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) and Croatian Party of Rights (SDP)
dismissed them explaining that a more serious discussion should be
held and a consensus reached. They said it is impossible to discuss
the strategies in an atmosphere of "selling of Croatia's national
treasure", referring to the privatisation of INA and HEP.
The HSP said that the parliament also cannot discuss the strategies
until the government crisis is solved.
Damir Kajin of the Istrian Democratic Assembly said that "there are
narcotics in the army more than on the streets". Rados replied that
the amount of drugs in the army is the same as in society.
Minister Rados also presented a programme of care for surplus
military employees. By the end of June or September, 40,000 Defence
Ministry and Army members must be reduced to 26,850. About 4,500
personnel will be retired, about 4,000 will be placed into reserve
military forces with 60 percent of their current salaries.
The biggest problem was 9,000 state officials and personnel at the
ministry and army to whom the Law on Service in the Armed Forces
applies. In order to take care of them, the ministry's budget will
have to be exceeded by about 300 million kuna, Rados said.
The care programme was prepared with the cooperation of the Crafts,
Small and Middle-Scale Entrepreneurship Ministry.
Rados hopes the Employment and Development Fund and the Croatian
Employment Bureau will become involved in the programme.
(hina) lml sb