SABOR PRESIDENCY AGREES THAT JUSTICE COMMITTEE SHOULD CONSIDER FORMING COMMISSION TO INVESTIGATE ORTYNSKI'S CLAIMS

ZAGREB, April 23 (Hina) - The Croatian Parliamentary Presidency on Tuesday suggested that the Justice Committee consider the establishment of a commission to investigate claims by resigned Chief State Prosecutor Radovan Ortynski on collusion between politics, the judiciary, and the media and organised crime. #L# Ortynski made the claims during last week's parliamentary debate on a report on the work of the State Prosecutor's Office and on his replacement. Speaking to reporters after a session of the Sabor Presidency, which was also attended by party whips, Parliament President Zlatko Tomcic said that the Presidency made the said decision with six votes for and five against. Tomcic did not want to comment on how the Presidency members voted, but a participant in the session, who wanted to remain anonymous, said that the proposal for the establishment of the commission was supported by the Croatian Peasants' Party (HSS), Democratic Centre (DC), Croatian Party of Rights (HSP), Istrian Democratic Assembly (IDS), and the Liberal Party (LS). The proposal was opposed by the Social Democrats (SDP), the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), the Social Liberals (HSLS) and the Croatian People's Party (HNS), the source said. "All participants in the session agreed that parliament must respond immediately with regard to Ortynski's claims. We only differed on whether parliament should undertake measures, by establishing the commission, or if the parliament's conclusions which bind the government and the State Prosecutor's Office to voice their stand on the claims were enough," Tomcic said. The Justice Committee should decide about the establishment of the commission of inquiry in several days, Tomcic said, adding that parliament would discuss Ortynski's replacement tomorrow. Tomcic said that the benches of the parliamentary coalition majority would submit an amendment under which Ortynski would be replaced because he performed his duties unconscientiously, and not because he resigned, which is why the government has urged his replacement. In case the amendment is adopted, Ortynski would not remain at the post of Deputy State Prosecutor, which would happen if the government's proposal on replacing him because he resigned is adopted, he said. (hina) rml