MINORITY MPs PROPOSE COMPROMISE ON BILL

ZAGREB, Nov 28 (Hina) - During talks with Premier Ivica Racan and Deputy Prime Minister Goran Granic, national minority MPs proposed a compromise amendment to the bill on the constitutional law on national minorities, Tibor Santo told journalists after the meeting. #L# According to the proposal, the bill would require dual voting rights for minorities, but rather would leave this to be regulated by the electoral law. The constitutional law on minorities would guarantee that minorities elect their representatives and that there will be at least five minority MPs in parliament. The final version of the government's constitutional law contains only a general principle that minorities have the right to representation in parliament, however, it does not specify the method of election, leaving this issue to be regulated by the electoral law. The government proposed that in addition to general election rights, members of minorities would be guaranteed special rights to elect their own MPs. Minority MPs will present their proposal to parliamentary benches on Friday. (hina) sp lml sb