LOWER HOUSE DEBATES CONFIDENCE TO INTERIOR MINISTER

( Editorial: --> 2770 ) ZAGREB, Mar 27 (Hina) - The Croatian National Parliament's House of Representatives Friday began a debate on a Croatian Peasant Party (HSS) proposal that a vote of no confidence be given to Interior Minister Ivan Penic. The proposal was backed by 20 opposition representatives. According to HSS representative Luka Trconic, his party proposes that Penic hand in a resignation because "under his orders, the police on February 20 prevented trade union protesters from holding a rally at (Zagreb's main) Ban Jelacic Square". The police showed brutality and demonstrated force and prevented even parliament representatives from reaching the main square, Trconic said. Democracy is not only a right but an obligation too, said Premier Zlatko Matesa, adding Penic was accused of abiding by the law. The rally had not been banned, he said, but could not comment whether city locations were suitable for protest rallies. Matesa called on the representatives to discuss whether the law should be complied with and whether it is justified that when it suits someone it should not be enforced. "With their behaviour, the police prevented citizens from exercising their constitutional right to public gathering", Trconic said while stating the reasons why the HSS believes Penic should resign. Under the Public Gathering Law passed in 1992, "local self- government units may set places for holding rallies, but that cannot limit public gatherings", he said. The HSS representative believed the city authorities decision banning the holding of the rally on the main square had not been legitimate. Trconic added the Constitutional Court had received a request to assess the constitutionality of that decision. Premier Matesa reiterated that the rally had not been banned, that not one act banned the citizens' constitutional rights to gathering, and that Penic had been enforcing a decision of the Zagreb city authorities. Matesa called for patience until the Constitutional Court made its assessment. The Premier also announced changes to the Law on Public Gathering. (hina) ha jn 271256 MET mar 98