STATE DEBT TO PENSIONERS WILL BE RETURNED OVER NUMBER OF YEARS

ZAGREB, Feb 25 (Hina) - Croatian Labour and Welfare Minister Davorko Vidovic on Friday met representatives of pensioners' associations to discuss with them the drawing up of a law on returning the state debt to pensioners as one of pre-electoral promises of the six-party coalition which won the election. The two sides also discussed the possibility for more funds to be set aside for pensioners in the new budget for 2000. According to Vidovic, the bill on returning the state debt to pensioners would be prepared by the end of May so that the adoption procedure could start before summer. Representatives of pensioners' associations will participate in the drawing up of the document as well. Several years ago, the former authorities adopted regulations and a law which deprived pensioners of their allowances so that the state owes about 40 pensions to some pensioners. Although the Constitutional Court in 1998 confirmed the state's debt, the then government did nothing about it. "I am confident that pensioners will have understanding for objective problems which the Government is facing. The debt will have to be returned over a number of years, a part of it will be transformed into the public debt and a part will be returned to pensioners through bonds," Vidovic said. Pensioners' representatives expressed satisfaction with today's meeting. (hina) jn rml