GOVT. TO DEBATE DEFENCE, WAR VETERANS' ENTITLEMENTS BILLS THURSDAY

ZAGREB, Sept 19 (Hina) - The government's Thursday session will focus on defence and war veterans' entitlements bills. Under the defence bill, the president of the Republic remains the supreme commander of the armed forces, and his 20-plus powers include stating his position in the appointment of the defence minister and the military chief-of-staff, at the government's proposal and following the position of the competent parliamentary committee. The head of state would also have competence over the relieving of the military chief-of-staff, directly or at the government's proposal. The bill precisely defines the government's powers in the field of defence, and stipulates that the parliament democratically supervises military performance, directly and through competent bodies. The bill also defines the tasks of the defence ministry, which would include the armed forces general staff. Relations between the general staff and the ministry's administration would be regulated by the defence minister in a special provision. Details of the bill on war veterans' entitlements will be made known tomorrow, as some are still being harmonised. The government is also expected to set up a crisis management centre which would coordinate the activity of state bodies in case of natural and other disasters. Deputy Prime Minister Goran Granic has been proposed to head the centre. Also tomorrow, the government should allocate three million kuna (approx. $361,500) for flood-hit areas. (hina) ha sb