MINISTERS HOLD THEIR APPEARANCES AS STATE OFFICIALS SHOULD BE USED FOR THEIR PARTY

ZAGREB, Oct 14 (Hina) - During a discussion on the Croatian Radio and Television's (HRT) proposal for the coverage of an election, members of the Croatian Government uttered a series of remarks and objections to a provision under which regular activities of state officials should not be used for a political party's purpose. This bill on the programme rules of the HRT, drawn up by the HRT Council, is soon to be discussed by the Croatian National Sabor. The Government announced on Thursday it would prepare its opinion on this bill as it already had objections. The aforementioned contentious provision first disturbed a Vice Premier, Jure Radic. We have to use our regular activities for the party's purpose, Radic stressed demanding the removal of that provision. He was joined by Social Welfare and Labour Minister Joso Skara who maintains that regular activities of ministers are for citizens and it is "difficult to leave the party in a pocket or at home." Our public appearances, particularly appearances of Premier should be excluded from time counted for how much the (ruling) HDZ party is presented at TV, said new Education Minister Nansi Ivanisevic. Minister Milan Kovac pointed to a part of the latest OSCE report, referring to some appearances and speeches of HDZ leaders on the HRT, and described that segment as hypocritical and humiliating. Another Vice Premier, Mate Granic, however reminded the Government of the international standards. We are the government constituted by the HDZ, we should use it at maximum in the party's promotion and it is our legitimate right, but international standards are clear in relation to the public television, Granic explained. Several ministers supported the stand of a Vice Premier, Borislav Skegro, that rules should be adopted for all television houses, not only for the HRT. (hina) jn ms