ZAGREB, Oct 26 (Hina) - The Croatian parliament on Friday endorsed a defence bill in the first reading creating conditions for a reform of the defence system. During yesterday's debate, MPs presented a number of objections to the bill
and today they adopted a conclusion asking the government to consider the objections before the start of a debate on the final draft. One of the objections was that the bill does not offer a strategy of defence and national security and does not clearly define the powers of the presidents of the state, government and parliament. MPs today unanimously supported a decision on the establishment of an expert parliament service and passed a law on the protection of persons and property. Due to lack of quorum, today's session did not start with a vote on bills which have already been discussed but with a debate on a bill on the participation of armed forces, police, civil defence and p
ZAGREB, Oct 26 (Hina) - The Croatian parliament on Friday endorsed a
defence bill in the first reading creating conditions for a reform
of the defence system.
During yesterday's debate, MPs presented a number of objections to
the bill and today they adopted a conclusion asking the government
to consider the objections before the start of a debate on the final
draft.
One of the objections was that the bill does not offer a strategy of
defence and national security and does not clearly define the
powers of the presidents of the state, government and parliament.
MPs today unanimously supported a decision on the establishment of
an expert parliament service and passed a law on the protection of
persons and property.
Due to lack of quorum, today's session did not start with a vote on
bills which have already been discussed but with a debate on a bill
on the participation of armed forces, police, civil defence and
public servants in peace operations abroad.
Defence Minister Jozo Rados said the bill was an elaboration of a
constitutional regulation defining the deployment of Croatian
soldiers as part of international missions. Decisions on sending
members of the Armed Forces on peace missions abroad would be
adopted by parliament and implemented by the President of the
Republic. In exceptional cases, such as the state of direct threat
or war, these decisions would be made by the President of State, who
would then seek parliamentary confirmation.
Decisions regarding participation in humanitarian activities and
military exercises organised by associations Croatia has already
joined will be made by the Government and implemented by the Defence
Ministry, Rados said.
(hina) rml