OPPOSITION PROPOSE THAT PARLIAMENT CONTINUE WORKING UNTIL END OF MANDATE

ZAGREB, Nov 3 (Hina) - The decision on whether the House of Representatives will be dissolved on November 12 or continue working until the end of its mandate (27/28 November) will be known next week. By that time, talks will be held among parties on the issue, which will also be discussed by the bodies of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), including the party presidency. The dissolution of the parliament was today discussed by Parliament President Vlatko Pavletic and presidents of the Opposition Six parties. In a statement to reporters, Pavletic conveyed a proposal by the Opposition Six that the parliament take its last vote in its current composition on November 12 and that no new items be included in the agenda, as well as that no new session is called. However, the House of Representatives would not be dissolved. According to the procedure, Pavletic reminded, if 64 MPs propose that the Lower House be dissolved, one will have to take a vote. The Opposition Six proposal is worth considering, said Pavletic, adding he supported such a solution. It wouldn't harm anyone if the two last weeks, if need be, remain open for calling a session, he added. According to Pavletic, President Franjo Tudjman is feeling well, better than the day before. Pavletic said he might visit the President this week but he would certainly visit him next week. Pavletic met with Opposition Six members at their request. The meeting, held at the beginning of the 43rd session of the House of Representatives, had been suggested by Ivan Jakovcic, who also requested information on the condition of President Tudjman, suggesting that, due to the current situation, the House not be dissolved on November 12 but finish its mandate. After the meeting, which was not attended by Social Democratic Party (SDP) president Ivica Racan due to a death in the family, Jakovcic said the presidents of the Croatian Social Liberal Party (HSLS), Liberal Party (LS), Istrian Democratic Assembly (IDS), Croatian Peasants' Party (HSS), and the Croatian People's Party (HNS) were satisfied with Pavletic's account of President Tudjman's health. Jakovcic reiterated the Opposition was against the early dissolution of the House of Representatives in the current situation, adding he believed the parliament's operating until the end of November should not affect the election campaign. Asked why the Opposition insisted on prolonging the work of the Lower House, Jakovcic said the days between November 12 and 27 could be important and one should use the possibility of calling a session if an important issue arises. He expressed hope that the Opposition request would be supported by other parties, including the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ). According to a statement given later by Vladimir Seks, the Opposition proposal will be considered, a decision will be made, and consultations with other parliamentary parties will be held. It was HDZ's stand that the Sabor, which has exhausted all its important topics, should be dissolved earlier so that parties could dedicate themselves to election campaigning. The work of the Sabor is not completely regular in the current atmosphere, in which an election campaign is practically under way, because the parliamentary hall would turn into an election stage, the president of the HDZ parliamentary bench said. Asked about President Tudjman's condition and when he would visit him, Seks said he had information that the President's condition was very good and that there were "no indications of what neither of us would want". Whether and when I will visit President Tudjman depends on medical reasons, Seks said. (hina) jn rml