SDP: GOVT. MEASURES AREN'T BLOW TO SOCIALLY MOST ENDANGERED

ZAGREB, Aug 27 (Hina) - An MP of the ruling coalition's Social Democrats (SDP) has dismissed claims that a recently moved government package of social restriction measures is a blow to the socially most endangered categories. The measures were analysed on Monday by representatives of several parliamentary committees and the ruling coalition's benches and Deputy Prime Minister Zeljka Antunovic. They established the measures were in no way a blow to the socially most endangered, SDP's Snjezana Biga-Friganovic told reporters. Stressing the moved package was socially far fairer than existing solutions, she said it did contain open issues which would have to be tackled by experts, social partners (government, unions, employers), parliamentary bodies and parliament. The SDP official voiced confidence impending discussions would yield a fairer and more adequate solution, and that an agreement would also be reached about war veterans whose entitlements would be reduced. The government's social programme is indispensable, said Djurdja Adlesic of the ruling coalition Social Liberals (HSLS) when asked if she supported the moved measures. We all share the same goal, to aspire to a socially more just state, she said, adding the measures were yet to be the subject of a broad debate. Adlesic said the opposition should be acquainted with the measures as the government's programme required reaching a consensus, particularly regarding cuts in privileged earnings. (hina) ha sb