GOVT DISCUSSES UNION REPRESENTATION & HOUSING & ANTI-SMOKING CAMPAIGN

CAMPAIGN ( Editorial: --> 3683 ) ZAGREB, June 25 (Hina) - At a session held behind closed doors on Thursday, the Croatian Government passed the final bill on the method of deciding union representation of higher level in tri- partite bodies at the national level. According to a statement from the Government Communications Office, the Government also adopted a regulation on establishing an institution for organising the Second World Military Games in Zagreb in 1999 as well as a draft plan on initial expenses. The Government also appointed Zelimir Simicic Assistant Education and Sports Minister. At the open part of the session, the Government adopted a Report on the Application of the Law on Rights of Croatian Homeland War Defenders and Their Families, from July 1997 to February 1998. Development and Reconstruction Minister Jure Radic said that in the next five years the Government planned to solve the housing problems of 10,000 families - war victims. Radic added that 2,200 flats were currently under construction at 110 locations. Those flats would be completed by year's end, he said adding that housing loans had been given to 1,341 Homeland war invalids. Supporting Health Minister Zeljko Reiner, who claimed that 10,000 people die annually in Croatia as a result of smoking, the Government decided to earmark five million kuna for an anti-smoking campaign. That money will be secured by taking one per cent of the retail price of tobacco products. (hina) as bag/rml 251648 MET jun 98