LOWER HOUSE ADOPTS AGREEMENT ON CRO-BOSNIAN INTER-STATE COUNCIL

( Editorial: --> 2473 ) ZAGREB, June 19 (Hina) - The Croatian National Parliament's House of Representatives on Friday amended the agenda of its 31st session with another 16 items, including the one on the budget revision for 1998. Following a discussion on the school system, the MPs adopted changes to the Laws on Children's Allowance and Financing of Water Resources Management. According to these changes, as of July 1 there will be no contribution of 2.2 per cent for children's allowance or 0.76 per cent contribution for the financing of water resources management. The MPs also confirmed the Agreement on Establishment of an Inter- State Cooperation Council between Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina, as well as a Report on Execution of the State Budget in 1997. The 31st session will continue on Wednesday, June 24. Parliament Speaker Vlatko Pavletic said the session would continue the week after as well, on June 29-30. Some Opposition MPs objected that the agenda was being amended with too many items so that question time could be avoided. Along with budget revision and proposed changes to the Law on Execution of the State Budget, the agenda was also amended with a proposed decision on a vote of no confidence in the Government, changes to the Law on Excise Taxes on Tobacco and Alcohol and a final bill on the official use of minority languages and scripts. The amended agenda also includes several reports, including the annual report of the Croatian National Bank for 1997. The current parliamentary session started in mid-May. (hina) jn rml 191814 MET jun 98