GOVERNMENT ESTABLISHES COMMISSION FOR DISMISSED POLICE

ZAGREB, April 4 (Hina) - The Croatian government on Thursday established a commission for solving the problem of dismissed police officers. First Deputy Prime Minister Drazen Budisa called on the police officers to stop their protest which began 16 days ago. #L# "With the decision on establishing the commission, I believe there will be no reason for the protest and hunger strike to continue, so I call on the laid-off police to stop the protest and begin working in the commission on joint solutions to the problems they said were the reason for the protest," Budisa said. Prime Minister Ivica Racan said he hoped that the commission would solve most of the problems, and establish the truth and facts relating to the unassigned police officers. I hope the protesters will support this and oppose their being encouraged to protest, which is not in any relation to the primary reason for the protest - their dissatisfaction with not being assigned," Racan said. Some of the police officers have been protesting for two weeks in front of the government, and some have been on a hunger strike. The government has appointed to the commission seven Interior Ministry representatives and two representatives of the Justice Ministry. Representatives of the unassigned police will be appointed by the Prime Minister as well, with the consent of the protesters. The protesting police officers on Wednesday gave the names of people who would be representing them in the commission. The task of the commission is to consider complaints by unassigned police officers, suggest solutions for each individual case, and discuss submitted objections regarding the situation in the police. The commission will supervise and coordinate the realisation of a programme of care for the dismissed police, a programme of employment, and a programme of early retirement. (hina) lml sb