UPPER HOUSE ENDORSES ANTI-CORRUPTION PACKAGE

ZAGREB, March 14 (Hina) - Parliament's upper house on Wednesday endorsed a government-sponsored corruption-prevention national programme and action plan, and relative bills. MPs in particular welcomed the intention to establish a special office which would be in charge of preventing corruption and organised crime. Corruption is present in all segments of life but is not emblematic of Croatia, representing a problem for developed and wealthy countries as well, it was said. MPs endorsed the government's intention to clearly draw the line between public and private interest in the performance of public duties. Presenting the government's corruption-prevention national programme and action plan, Justice Minister Stjepan Ivanisevic said one of the priorities was the establishment of USKOK, a special office for that purpose. A bill on the establishment of said office envisages a series of measures which should warrant an effective prevention of corruption and organised crime. It also elaborates new solutions for the institutes of Repentant and Protected Witness, envisages freezing property acquired by illegal activities, and stipulates that corruption and crime prevention should be dealt with by specialised judges. The upper house was also acquainted with a government bill on conflict of interest prevention in the performance of public duties, a form of ethical code for the conduct of officials, which would be supervised by a commission. If the officials broke the law, punitive measures would include reprimand, discontinuation of the payment of part of the monthly salary, public statement, and a political condemnation of inappropriate conduct. Endorsing the bill, the upper house MPs said it should cover all officials dealing with public funds. MPs endorsed several other government-sponsored bills as well. (hina) ha sb