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LOWER HOUSE: LIVELY DEBATE ON TELECOMMUNICATIONS

( Editorial: --> 2485 ) ZAGREB, March 24 (Hina) - A bill on the division of the Croatian Post and Telecommunications (HPT) into two companies, the only item on today's agenda of the House of Representatives, sparked a lively and protracted debate. The bill was supported by the parliamentary committee on transport and communications and most Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) members. Opposition parties, supported on this occasion by several HDZ members, opposed the bill on the grounds of "hurried" division and privatisation. On behalf of the HDZ Bench, Juraj Njavro said the division of HPT into two state-owned companies was motivated by technological and economic reasons. The proposed changes would eventually lead to lower prices of telecommunication services, Njavro promised. Criticising the bill, Social Democrats did not oppose the division per se but was concerned about the status of workers which had not been fully defined in the bill. The Social Liberal Party also opposed the bill, which they said minimised the role of the Parliament in the transformation and privatisation of this public company. The Istrian Democratic Assembly (IDS) opposed the privatisation of telecommunications as a matter of principle, particularly if they are sold out to foreigners. "Our opinion is that this system should be developed as a Croatian company, which should be made up of three daughter companies - post, telecommunications and the Croatian postal bank," Kajin said. The Croatian Peasant Party (HSS) Bench was also doubtful about privatisation and emphasised concerns over the fate of the 5,000 workers. Current HPT manager Stipe Hrkac denied that the division would entail the dismissal of 5,000 workers. "It's just that these workers have not yet been assigned to new posts," he specified. "Anyway, I'm one of them." Transport and Communications Minister Zeljko Luzavec allayed some members' fears concerning the minimisation of the Parliament's role in privatisation. Rather, it befell the Parliament to decide on the model and tempo of privatisation, Luzavec said. He explained that the 5,000 workers, who were employed in the general services, were not redundant. Their status would be resolved, he said. The Croatian Social Liberal Party submitted a written motion calling for a debate on foreign policy and the international position of Croatia to be added to the agenda. "Recent diplomatic activities have shown that Croatia's foreign policy position is very sensitive and could negatively affect Croatia's rapprochement with European and Atlantic integrations," the motion said. (hina) jn as/mrb 261732 MET mar 98

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