CROATIAN PARLIAMENT TO RESUME SESSION NEXT WEEK

ZAGREB, May 25 (Hina) - Croatia's members of the parliament on Friday morning discussed draft amendments to the law on courts for juvenile delinquency. Deputy Justice Minister Ranko Marijan expounded the proposed changes which envisage the re-socialisation of juvenile delinquents as a better measure than repression. Each month courts should consider reasons for custody in which juvenile offenders are kept. One of new things that these courts can address cases in which children and persons under age are victims of crimes committed by adults. Parliamentary benches supported a draft act on the establishment of a National Foundation for Science and Technological Development. The capital base of this endowment, which comes to 2 million kuna (approximately 250,000 US dollars) will be earmarked from the state budget. Additional means will be secured through fund-raising. On Friday afternoon MPs supported the establishment of cultural councils which would enable cultural workers and artists to be more active in the decision-making in relation to important issues in culture and art. Under the draft act, there will be cultural councils for film, music, visual and performing arts, architecture, literature and publishing and media, which will be set up within the Culture Ministry. Each of these councils will have seven members who will propose objectives and measures for the implementation of the cultural policy. The Sabor will vote about the said motions and draft acts next week. On Wednesday it will hold a special session to celebrate the Independence Day (May 30) and on Thursday MPs will continue with their regular 12th session. (hina) ms