ZAGREB, Jan 28 (Hina) - The recovery from the economic and social crisis as well as the cooperation with Europe and the world were cited by Prime Minister Ivica Racan as the new Croatian Government's long-term priorities, while the
tasks which this composition of the government would immediately carry out, should be the work on a state budget for 2000 and the proposal of the Government's programme which is to be presented to the national parliament on 9 February when a vote of confidence in the new Government should be conducted at the House of Representatives, Racan said at the very first session of the new Croatian Government, held on Friday in Zagreb. At the session a 40-percent reduction was proposed in salaries of the President of the Republic, the chairman of the National Sabor and Premier as well as of other state officials. Incomes of judges and other employees in the judiciary will not be change
ZAGREB, Jan 28 (Hina) - The recovery from the economic and social
crisis as well as the cooperation with Europe and the world were
cited by Prime Minister Ivica Racan as the new Croatian
Government's long-term priorities, while the tasks which this
composition of the government would immediately carry out, should
be the work on a state budget for 2000 and the proposal of the
Government's programme which is to be presented to the national
parliament on 9 February when a vote of confidence in the new
Government should be conducted at the House of Representatives,
Racan said at the very first session of the new Croatian Government,
held on Friday in Zagreb.
At the session a 40-percent reduction was proposed in salaries of
the President of the Republic, the chairman of the National Sabor
and Premier as well as of other state officials.
Incomes of judges and other employees in the judiciary will not be
changed.
Concerning its future organisation, the Government forwarded a few
draft bills into the urgent parliamentary procedure.
According to proposals for cuts in salaries, the monthly income of
Croatia's President should be lessened from 35,000 kuna (some 4666
US dollars) to 21,000 kuna (2800 dollars), while the salary of the
parliament speaker and premier should drop from 25,000 kuna (some
3300) to 15,000 kuna (2000 dollars).
"This Government is aware that it can not ask for contribution and
solidarity of others, if it does not show those qualities by its
conduct and decisions," Racan told the session.
A deputy prime minister, Zeljka Antunovic, pointed to the necessity
to reduce officials' wages to a "sensible and rational measure."
Premier Racan cited the policy of austerity, modesty and cuts in
expenditures as the Government's tasks.
He stressed that priorities of this Government would be to recover
the country from the economic and social crisis, take measures to
the benefit of the economic growth and create new jobs. These goals
should be accomplished through complex economic measures as well as
through insistence on the responsibility of all bodies of state
authorities and administration, Racan said.
On of most important national priorities, he said, will be the
cooperation with Europe and the world. "The Government does not
conceal a strategic goal - to catch up with the first group of
countries that aspire to enter the European Union," he added.
It is up to the government to prove that Croatia is not only a good
political but also economic partner, the new Prime Minister
accentuated adding that he was also aware of difficulties.
He said the government would not try to solve financial problems by
rescheduling debts but with launching new projects for the
development for what Croatia has resources.
Racan pointed out the new Government's firm commitment to
fulfilling promises it had given before the recent parliamentary
election, particularly promises about a programme of economic,
political and social changes, and added this would be done in
cooperation with the Croatian National Sabor and the President.
The newly-appointed Premier said members of the government were
aware that they would have hard task and Racan called on all who bear
a part of responsibility in helping country to get out of the
economic and political crisis to do their job well. The Croatian
Government calls on all who can and want to help - institutions,
employers and trade unions, Racan said in this context.
The aforementioned draft bills, sent into the urgent parliamentary
procedure, stipulate the re-organisation of the government
including two more ministries than the current 17. Changes provide
for the establishment of the function of the First Deputy Prime
Minister.
Draft amendments to the law on the system of the state
administration envisage the cancellation of the office of state
secretaries who were appointed by the President of the Republic.
This has been in line with attempts to give the powers to the
President in compliance with the Constitution, while other acts on
this matter should be put out of force, said a deputy prime
minister, Slavko Linic.
The Government has proposed draft amendments to the law on
obligations and rights of state officials. After they leave office,
they can still receive salaries of officials in the next one year,
but the income should be smaller in accordance with new salaries
determined for some tenure.
(hina) ms