RULING HDZ'S BENCH ON PRIVATISATION OF CRO TELECOMMUNICATIONS

ZAGREB, May 24 (Hina) - A law on the privatisation of Croatian Telecommunications (HT) should be passed by mid-June, i.e. before a state budget revision, the president of the ruling Croatian Democratic Union's (HDZ) parliamentary bench said on Monday. HDZ's representatives will adopt the HT privatisation bill, in the form motioned by the government, in the first reading, Vladimir Seks told reporters after a three-hour HDZ bench session. Various "fuses" aimed at protecting national interests will be included into the bill by the second reading, he added. Seks disagreed with claims that the passing of a HT privatisation law was being rushed, adding that preparations for the privatisation of private companies have been in course for three years. He also stressed the bill would be passed within the planned deadline and that it will protect the interests of both small shareholders and Croatia's necessities. In the first privatisation stage, 26 percent plus one share will be sold, Seks said, adding the money will be used primarily for the necessities of the pension and insurance funds, and for the payment of insured savings deposits in bankrupt banks. Croatia will have a strategic portfolio which will ensure national interests, he concluded. (hina) ha jn