GOVT. ENDORSES SABOR COMMITTEE'S DRAFT CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES

GOVT. ENDORSES SABOR COMMITTEE'S DRAFT CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES ZAGREB, Oct 5 (Hina) - Croatian Government on Thursday forwarded a to the Sabor its positive opinion on the proposal for drafting constitutional amendments, which was made by the national parliament's Constitution, Rule Book and political system committee. The Government has not and will not give its stand on an article which would make it possible for the Government to propose to the President of the Republic to dissolve the House of Representatives and call pre-term elections. Premier Ivica Racan described claims that the Government would like to have additional authorities in such cases as unfounded statements. He proposed that this contentious article and its alternative be considered by the ruling coalition in the parliament. The Government forwarded a supplement to the draft article on the President's control over military and security services. According to the Government's proposal, President should be entitled not only to supervise the work of those services but also to direct it. This will enable President, upon adoption of relevant acts, to have the right to appoint heads of military-security services, at the Government's proposal, Racan explained. The guidelines for and control of the work of the state administration and civilian services of security would be within the authority of the Government. Recalling disagreement between coalition partners on the regional self-government, Racan said the matter was settled yesterday when partners agreed that a chapter of the Constitution should be entitled "Local Self-Government and Local (Regional) Self- Government." The House of Counties has started a debate on constitutional changes today while the lower house will commence it tomorrow. (hina) ms