LOWER HOUSE REJECTS OPPOSITION PROPOSAL FOR NO CONFIDENCE TO GOVT VOTE

GOVT VOTE ( Editorial: --> 6972 ) ZAGREB, July 10 (Hina) - The Croatian National Parliament's House of Representatives on Friday rejected a proposal for a vote of no confidence in the Government. The vote was requested by six opposition parties, except the Croatian Party of Rights (HSP). The major reason given for requesting the vote was the whole Government's inappropriate attitude towards pensioners. Today the lower house passed several laws, including one on the Croatian Government, and one on the division of Croatian Post and Telecommunications (HPT). Ivica Vrkic was appointed director of Croatian Radio Television (HRT). The new comprehensive law on the Croatian Government stipulates the Government's organisation and the mandate of its members, methods of working and reaching decisions, the organisation of Government offices, agencies and directorates, and administration of objects owned by the Republic of Croatia. The law stipulates that ministers too will have immunity, but restricted in comparison to that enjoyed by representatives. Without prior permission from the Government, a member of Government while on mandate cannot be tried for an offence envisaging imprisonment up to five years. With a majority vote, the lower house passed a law on the division of HPT into Croatian Post and Croatian Telecommunications, which will act as two joint stock companies starting January 1, 1999. The ownership structure and privatisation of these two companies will be discussed later on. Ownership shares cannot be changed until privatisation takes place, which means that both companies will be in 100 per cent ownership of the state until then. The House of Representatives also passed a law which rescinds the law on the takeover and administration of specific property and a law rescinding the law on the lease of flats in liberated areas. The issues which were adjusted by the former laws will be resolved on the basis of a recently adopted Programme on the Return and Accommodation of Displaced Persons, Refugees and Exiled Persons. Ivica Vrkic was appointed director of HRT, replacing Ivica Mudrinic, who was relieved of his former duties. Franjo Greguric of the ruling Croatian Democratic Union yesterday told the lower house that Mudrinic would enter the Office of the Croatian President. Today the lower house ended its 32nd, special session. MPs will meet again in autumn. (hina) ha jn /mbr 102023 MET jul 98