ZAGREB, Aug 28 (Hina) - Consultations on a defence bill will wrap up by the end of the week, making it possible to pass a political decision on the matter next week, Defence Minister Jozo Rados said on Tuesday after meeting military
chief-of-staff Gen. Petar Stipetic and Deputy Prime Minister Goran Granic. The three officials today agreed on principles of relations between the Defence Ministry and the military General Staff and set good foundations for the resolving of issues pertaining to the defence bill, Rados said. He expects the bill will enter government procedure next week, after "political harmonising." Asked if today's meeting had addressed the position of the military police and security services, Rados said "there is no dispute as to the military police, which has to be within the General Staff. Security services will be addressed in coming weeks as part of (talks) on the entire security sys
ZAGREB, Aug 28 (Hina) - Consultations on a defence bill will wrap up
by the end of the week, making it possible to pass a political
decision on the matter next week, Defence Minister Jozo Rados said
on Tuesday after meeting military chief-of-staff Gen. Petar
Stipetic and Deputy Prime Minister Goran Granic.
The three officials today agreed on principles of relations between
the Defence Ministry and the military General Staff and set good
foundations for the resolving of issues pertaining to the defence
bill, Rados said.
He expects the bill will enter government procedure next week,
after "political harmonising."
Asked if today's meeting had addressed the position of the military
police and security services, Rados said "there is no dispute as to
the military police, which has to be within the General Staff.
Security services will be addressed in coming weeks as part of
(talks) on the entire security system."
At today's meeting there was no dispute about the role of the
defence minister in the chain of command, Rados said. "The defence
minister is in a special position as he answers to both the
president of the republic as the supreme commander (of the
military) and to the government."
Under the defence bill, the president of the republic gives
previous consent to the appointment of the defence minister,
although a decision has not been made as to how the head of state
could be enabled to suspend the minister.
According to Rados, this issue could be settled by providing a
precise assignment of mutual powers and responsibilities, or
giving the president of the republic direct possibility to
influence the minister's position.
(hina) ha sb