LOWER HOUSE DISCUSSES RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF STATE OFFICIALS

( Editorial: --> 6706 ) ZAGREB, July 9 (Hina) - The Croatian National Parliament's House of Representatives late Thursday opened a discussion on the final bill on duties and rights of state officials. The final bill has been considerably changed in comparison to the first draft. The text, proposed by the Government, has been amended by the House of Representatives' committees. Taking into consideration objections by the MPs, the Government also intervened with its own amendments. These amendments have widened the circle of officials who are to be included in the bill. It is now proposed that - along with the President of the Republic, Government members, parliamentary representatives, presidents of the Supreme and Constitutional Courts and judges of the Constitutional Court - the bill also include Supreme Court judges, deputy governor and vice-governor of the Croatian National Bank (HNB). Other officials to be added to the list are deputies to the State Attorney, the Ombudsman, the Public Attorney and the chief State Auditor. The list should also include the heads of the National Security Office and Croatian Intelligence Service and directors of administrative organisations and government agencies. According to the bill, the salary of the President of the State would be determined by the Croatian National Parliament. The Committee for Elections, Appointments and Administration has proposed that the President's net salary amount to about US $7,700. According to the bill, salaries of other officials would be pegged at different percentages of the President's salary. The President of the House of Representatives and the Premier would have the right to a salary amounting to 50 per cent of the President's salary (about US $3,850). According to the bill, there would be ten instead of nine wage levels for state officials. Following the Parliament President and the Premier will be the President of the House of Counties, lower house vice presidents, presidents of the Supreme and Constitutional Courts and the HNB Governor. Their salaries would amount to 48 per cent of the President's salary (about US $3,700). These officials are followed by ministers (with about 3,100 dollars) and parliamentary representatives (about US $2,800). However, the Committee for Elections, Appointments and Administration has suggested that the salaries of ministers and MPs be the same. The Government has accepted objections by the MPs saying that state officials must not be members of administrative or supervisory boards of joint stock companies or administrative councils, that is, extra-budgetary funds. State officials are only allowed to be members of administrative bodies of non-profit legal entities such as foundations, associations etc, with no right to compensation. The Government itself has proposed for state officials to submit a written statement on their property to the body which appoints them, upon assuming duty and upon leaving their office. The President of the Republic and MPs would submit their statements to the Parliament President. The Committee for Legislation has requested for the public to have access to those statements. Administration Minister Marijan Ramuscak said it was necessary to adopt the bill so that salaries and property of state officials could be finally demystified. The statements should include an official's property as well as the property of his/her spouse and children who live or work with him/her. The Presidents of the State, Government and Parliament should have the right to an official residence. (hina) jn rml 091927 MET jul 98