UPPER HOUSE TURNS DOWN AMENDMENTS TO LAW ON AREAS OF SPECIAL GOVT. CONCERN

ZAGREB, July 12 (Hina) - The Croatian parliament's House of Counties on Wednesday turned down a government-motioned bill of amendments to the Law on Areas of Special Government Concern after MPs of the Croatian Democratic Union, the strongest party in the house, said the bill equated the victim and the aggressor, and that it was the result of international dictate. The Upper House endorsed a bill regulating the return of the state's debt to pensioners, thus concluding the second day of its extraordinary session. The government said the aim of the amendments to the Law on Areas of Special Government Concern was to achieve a faster return of people who lived in said areas prior to last decade's war. The beneficiaries of the amended law would be all Croatian citizens living or who have returned to those areas. Rights from the law would be denied persons accused of war crimes. MPs of the HDZ suggested holding a referendum on the amendments to see if citizens supported the construction and reconstruction of houses for those who had attacked and burned Croatia, said Ivan Marijanovic. HDZ also objected to the cancellation of regulations on who had precedence in reconstruction and care, and strongly criticised a regulation on providing housing for people who had tenancy rights in areas of special government concern, returned and did not own another flat or house in Croatia. These people should be enabled to rent a flat or house owned by the state or be given a location and material to build a house. The Upper House endorsed the final draft of a bill on the stimulation of investments. Also endorsed were amendments to the Law on Labour stipulating that the non-payment of salaries was reason for strike. Amendments to the Law on Bankruptcy were also given the green light. The Upper House did not endorse amendments to the Law on Property and Other Proprietary Rights. (hina) ha