PARLIAMENT RESUMES 18TH SESSION

ZAGREB, Nov 29 (Hina) - Resuming its 18th session, the Croatian parliament on Thursday adopted amendments to three laws, under which the beneficiaries of pensions earned under more favourable conditions would receive lower pensions in 2002 as well. This way, amendments to a law on the execution of the state budget for 2002, passed in October, were transformed into a permanent solution. In spite of government's refusal, the parliament adopted amendments to a law on the rights of former political prisoners. The amendments were proposed by Dorica Nikolic of the Croatian Social Liberal Party (HSLS) who requested that the pensions of former political prisoners be excluded. Also dismissed was an amendment by which the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) parliamentary bench requested the issuing of state bonds to a three-year period, by which the state would fully compensate former political prisoners for the time spent in prison. The parliament also adopted an amendment proposed by the Social Democratic Party (SDP) parliamentary bench to a law on pension insurance, under which the pensions of members of the Croatian Academy of Science and Arts (HAZ) would not be reduced. In line with the SDP amendments, the HAZU members would have the right to a special pension bonus. Vesna Skare Ozbolt of the Democratic Centre was appointed member of the State Attorney Council, despite the disapproval of the HDZ parliamentary bench which believes that apart from a representative of the parliamentary majority, the council should include a representative of the biggest Opposition party (HDZ). The parliament ratified a social insurance agreement with the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, and the voting on a previously discussed final bill on socially stimulated housing construction has been delayed because the MPs did not receive government amendments. (hina) it