UPPER HOUSE ENDORSES PROGRAMME OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT

ZAGREB, April 20 (Hina) - The Croatian National Sabor's House of Counties on Tuesday endorsed a programme of urban development of Croatia. Adopting an amendment by Vinko Jelic Balpa of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), the Upper House suggested that Moslavacka Gora be excluded from the programme as a potential radioactive waste disposal site. This means that the programme would only include Trgovska Gora as a potential location where investigations would continue. The Upper House supported the amendment on Moslavacka Gora despite opposition by the Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing, Marko Sirac. The Government has a clear stand that one location should be selected, on which investigations should be carried out, but that does not mean that the location itself has been decided, Sirac said opposing amendments which would exclude possible locations for radioactive waste disposal from the programme. The MPs also supported a decision that emphasis in the country's development should be put on small and medium-size towns, instead on the four largest Croatian cities. The Upper House also okayed changes to the Law on Tax Administration transferring control of the payment of pension and health insurance contributions to the Tax Administration. The House of Counties also supported changes to the Law on the State Judicial Council (DSV). After a heated discussion between Aldo Skira (Istrian Democratic Assembly, IDS) and Pasko Bubalo (HDZ) on the name of the toponyms Brioni and Brijuni, the MPs also supported changes to the Law on the National Park and Memorial Area of Brioni. The MPs also endorsed proposals on proclaiming the north Velebit region a national park, and Ucka, Papuk, and Kopacki Rit nature parks. The Upper House postponed the vote on the final bill on construction for next week. (hina) rml