SIX OPPOSITION BENCHES OPPOSE APPOINTMENT OF HRT COUNCIL

ZAGREB, Jan 28 (Hina) - The motion on the appointment of members of the Council of the Croatian Radio and Television (HRT) (20 members, with three seats, two for the opposition, vacant) faced harsh criticism from seven opposition benches at Thursday's session of the Croatian Parliament House of Representatives. The 'Opposition Six', the Croatian Peasants' Party (HSS), Croatian Social Liberal Party (HSLS), Liberal Party (LS), Istrian Democratic Forum (IS), Croatian People's Party (HNS) and the Social Democratic Party(SDP), and the bench of independent minority MPs suggested that the motion be withdrawn from the procedure for foreign and internal policy reasons. The Croatian Party of rights (HSP) opposed the suggestion and endorsed the motion. The appointments have been motioned at the wrong time. The issue should be postponed for two or three months and be discussed with the participation of all political parties, Nikola Ivanis of the Prigorje Gorski-Kotar Alliance (PGS) said. He explained his statement with requests of the international community to transform the Croatian television into a public television. Antun Vujic of the SDP warned about omissions in the election procedure of certain representatives of cultural, scientific and public institutions. The materials do not show who suggested them. Was, for example, a representative of a university suggested by the rector or another university body, Vujic stressed. The House will vote on the motion on Friday. (hina) lml mm