UPPER HOUSE WILL DISCUSS CURRENT POLITICAL SITUATION AFTER ALL

ZAGREB, Feb 13 (Hina) - Representatives of the Croatian Parliament House of Counties on Tuesday adopted by a majority vote a proposal by the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) bench that the upper house discuss the current situation in the country at the session which started today. Seeking a debate on this topic, HDZ's Miroslav Prpic said the decision to take retired general Mirko Norac in custody had caused unprecedented public concern and polarisation in the country, and the upper house should voice its stand on the matter. Most deputies from the ruling six-party coalition had nothing against a debate on the current situation but they asked that an expert service provide them with the necessary materials - the proclamation of the Headquarters for the Protection of the Dignity of the Homeland War, the parliamentary declaration on cooperation with the Hague tribunal and the Homeland War, and the conclusions adopted by the coalition MPs in the lower house. The HDZ bench prepared materials suggesting, among else, that the lower house adopt a legal regulation which would stop the criminal prosecution of Croatian soldiers, thus eliminating the permanent source of current divisions and social conflicts and, the HDZ claims, the danger of state instability. The House of Counties will also discuss announcements of constitutional changes, i.e. the dissolution of the upper house, at the proposal of the HDZ bench, which holds the majority of seats at the upper house. (hina) sb rml .