( 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
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