SPEAKER, ASSOCIATIONS FOR DIALOGUE ON BILL ON WAR VETERANS' RIGHTS

ZAGREB, Oct 3 (Hina) - Representatives of Homeland War associations and parliamentary speaker Zlatko Tomcic agreed on Wednesday to pursue constructive solutions and dialogue between associations of war veterans' and the sponsor of a bill on the rights of veterans and their families before the bill's second parliamentary reading. They agreed parliament would tackle the bill after representatives of veterans' associations submit their remarks and suggestions to competent parliamentary committees. Tomcic said he wanted to leave room for an agreement, for amendments to be moved and the government to take a position on them, so that this important law may be passed with the highest consensus possible. Asked to comment on protest rallies veterans have announced for Oct. 20 in Zagreb, Tomcic said that "in this society all contentious issues have to be settled through dialogue and not protests." Tomislav Mercep told reporters the Homeland War associations would file a lawsuit with the European Court in Strasbourg for discrimination of veterans' rights unless the "irregularities and injustices" in the bill were not changed before the second parliamentary reading. The associations distanced themselves from the Oct. 20 rally. "We think things have to be settled through dialogue and talks, and we don't even want to discuss, let alone participate in protests," said Mercep. (hina) ha