CRO GOVT FORWARDS SEVERAL DRAFT AMENDMENTS TO PARLIAMENT

ZAGREB, Sept 2 (Hina) - At Thursday's session the Croatian Government forwarded to the Croatian National Parliament several draft amendments to several laws, including the law on binding relations and the Law on financial stimulation and compensation in agriculture and fishing. The Government also gave a state guarantee for a US$51 million loan to Split's Brodosplit ship-building company for the construction of two ships. Amendments to the binding relations stipulate a cessation in proceedings for the compensation of damage committed by members of the Croatian Army from May 21, 1991 until June 30, 1996, until another regulation is adopted regulating the compensations. The Defence Ministry is in a situation where it has to pay compensation of several tens of thousands dollars, Deputy Defence Minister Kresimir Cosic said. An implementing regulation abut the payment of the damage must be adopted within 30 days. The provision should regulate the payment of compensations which are appropriate for the damage caused, not in excess, he said. In the draft amendments for stimulation and compensation in agriculture and fishing, the Government suggests an increase in financial stimulation for blue fish, and an extension of the rights for stimulation for other types of fish. The draft amendments would regulate differently the establishment of mountainous regions receiving increased government stimulation, and would widen the number of stimulation users in poultry and olive production. The Government also suggested amendments to the Law on agricultural land, which would facilitate the decision-making procedure about managing state-owned land. The Government will grant an irreversible US$274,000 to households and towns struck by floods, storms and hail in July and August. (hina) lml