UPPER HOUSE SUPPORTS BILL ON MINISTRIES

ZAGREB, May 4 (Hina) - The Croatian National Sabor's House of Counties on Tuesday endorsed a bill on the organisation and jurisdiction of ministries and organisations of state administration. The Upper House suggested changes according to which the State Administration for Environmental Protection should keep its status as an independent body. Given the importance of reconstruction, it was also proposed that the word "reconstruction" should remain as the name of the ministry which would be in charge of reconstruction - the Ministry of Development, Immigration and Reconstruction. The bill was harshly criticised by the Opposition, who doubted that it would result in the rationalisation of state administration. Therefore, they asked that the bill be discussed in the first reading and that rationalisation, and not only the change of the name, take place by the second reading. Some Opposition MPs wanted to know why the government was being reorganised seven months before the elections. The bill was supported by the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) bench. The Opposition, and some HDZ representatives, criticised a proposal that the Administration Ministry continue working as a state directorate. In a lengthy debate, several Opposition MPs spoke about the establishment of the Presidential Council, expressing fears that it could lead to parallel executive authorities. (hina) jn rml