OPPOSITION AGAINST AMENDMENTS TO LAW ON MANDATORY RELATIONS

ZAGREB, Oct 20 (Hina) - Opposition MPs of the Croatian parliament's House of Representatives on Wednesday strongly opposed the motioned amendments to the Law on Mandatory Relations which stipulate the annulment of compensation procedures for damage caused by the Croatian Army between May 1991 and June 1996. Dorica Nikolic of the Croatian Social Liberal Party said the amendments would be contrary to citizens' interests. They would put the state in a more privileged position in relation to the citizens, she explained. As several other MPs, Nikolic pointed to the fact that no mention had been made of a deadline by which a separate provision would be passed for the regulation of the right to compensation. According to Ante Tukic of the Liberal Party, the passing of the amendments would free the state of responsibility and shift the burden of the war onto its citizens. He agreed with several other colleagues who said the amendments would impinge on the provision on the inviolability of private property. Justice Minister said the Law on Mandatory Relations certainly was not popular, but pointed out nobody could be denied the right to compensation for damage suffered, and that it would be exercised. The amendments are merely an interruption of procedures until things have been regulated, he said. The Lower House today also discussed a motion by Jadranka Kosor and Vladimir Seks to have 18 November, the day when in 1991 the former Yugoslav People's Party (JNA) entered the eastern town of Vukovar after a three-month siege, be proclaimed Vukovar Remembrance Day. The intention is to pay adequate and dignified homage to all who fought for Vukovar and Croatia's freedom, and to remind that at the end of the 20th century, ethnic and cultural crimes were committed in a European city. According to the agenda, agreed on after a very heated discussion, the Lower House, in the last session of its current composition, will discuss 40 items. (hina) ha jn