VUKOVIC RELIEVED OF HIS DUTIES AS SUPREME COURT PRESIDENT

ZAGREB, Feb 11 (Hina) - The State Judicial Council (DSV) on Thursday relieved Milan Vukovic of his duties as Croatian Supreme Court President, on the basis of his request dated February 8, 1999. At a session held on February 5, the Croatian Sabor's House of Representatives elected Milan Vukovic a Constitutional Court judge, at the proposal of the House of Counties. The DSV adopted its decision after a lengthy debate initiated by a DSV member, Professor Ante Caric, who objected that Vukovic should have also requested to be relieved of his duties as a Supreme Court judge, and suggested that Vukovic be asked to amend his request. However, the DSV refused Caric's proposal. The meeting concluded that the act of relieving Supreme Court President of his duties also meant that he was relieved of his duties as a judge, since the Supreme Court President is at the same time also a Supreme Court judge, in charge of court administration. Caric asserted that Vukovic should have requested to be relieved of his duties as Supreme Court President before he was elected a Constitutional Court judge, because, in his opinion, the DSV was now presented with an accomplished fact. Caric also expressed disagreement with the way personnel changes in the judiciary were being made. DSV President Ante Potrebica said that Vukovic's being relieved of his duties as Supreme Court President has created conditions for the Government to propose a candidate for the new Supreme Court President. The DSV will decide about that proposal as soon as it is submitted. (hina) jn rml