GOVT CONCERNED AT IMC DECISION BANNING EROTEL FROM BROADCASTING

ZAGREB, Nov 18 (Hina) - The Croatian government on Thursday held a closed session chaired by Deputy Premier and Finance Minister Borislav Skegro. The government adopted a report on a business inspection carried out in public utility companies owned by local self-government units. The government was briefed on a decision of the Independent Media Commission in Bosnia which banned Erotel, the largest Bosnian Croat television station, from broadcasting Croatian Television programmes, and reduced the Mostar-based station's own programme to be seen on only five percent of the territory of the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina. The government voiced concern at the decision, which it said represented a violation of the Dayton peace agreement and the European charters, and also deprived Bosnian Croats, as a constituent people in Bosnia, of radio and television programmes in their language. At today's session, the government granted the sending of urgent relief for the victims of the recent Turkey earthquake, which includes sleeping bags, blankets, tents, canned food, and flour. A decree was passed adopting changes to an agreement of INTESAT, the International Organisation for Satellite Communications. The government also okayed the initiation of proceedings for the signing of a convention on the establishment of a European telecommunications office. (hina) ha