ZAGREB, June 16 (Hina) - Croatian House of Counties MPs on Wednesday unanimously endorsed a report on the enforcement of a law on veterans' rights for the period July-December 1998 and a report on the implementation of a programme for
the housing of Homeland War victims for 1998. The Upper House MPs singled out the employment of demobilised veterans as the key problem, and pointed to the fact that the dynamics according to which they are provided with accommodation is not satisfactory. According to Veterans' Minister Juraj Njavro, the ministry met its obligations within legally set deadlines. Almost 41,000 individual and family disability benefits were paid out, he said. According to the report, some 35,000 veterans were registered as unemployed at the end of last year. Njavro pointed out however some 12,000 a year eventually do find employment, even though only temporarily. As regards housing
ZAGREB, June 16 (Hina) - Croatian House of Counties MPs on Wednesday
unanimously endorsed a report on the enforcement of a law on
veterans' rights for the period July-December 1998 and a report on
the implementation of a programme for the housing of Homeland War
victims for 1998.
The Upper House MPs singled out the employment of demobilised
veterans as the key problem, and pointed to the fact that the
dynamics according to which they are provided with accommodation is
not satisfactory.
According to Veterans' Minister Juraj Njavro, the ministry met its
obligations within legally set deadlines. Almost 41,000 individual
and family disability benefits were paid out, he said.
According to the report, some 35,000 veterans were registered as
unemployed at the end of last year. Njavro pointed out however some
12,000 a year eventually do find employment, even though only
temporarily.
As regards housing, the veterans' minister said some 4,500 flats
were either in the preliminary, contractual, or building stage in
1998. This year it will be possible to ensure 120 flats a month,
given that the task has been pursued with the same tempo, he added.
Speaking about exhumations, Njavro told the Upper House 2,974
persons have been exhumed to date from 118 graves; 2,336 have been
identified, while 1,717 persons are still listed as missing.
During discussion, the Upper House MPs remarked that, contrary to
legislation, only a small number of employees are employed in
public companies and local government.
The MPs also commented on the impending privatisation of public
companies. They said an investment fund for veterans should be
established to take care of their rights during privatisation
processes.
The Upper House pointed to 121 veterans' deaths in 1998. Ankica
Mamic of the Liberal Party said she did not claim they had all
committed suicide, but called on the MPs to wonder why those who
first went to defend the country were the last to exercise their
rights.
(hina) ha jn