ASSOCIATION OF JUDGES WELCOMES TUDJMAN'S SUGGESTION

( Editorial: --> 9711 ) ZAGREB, July 24 (Hina) - The Association of Croatian Judges (UHS) on Friday welcomed Croatian President Tudjman's suggestion to reconsider a law on the rights and obligations of state officials and its non-application until changes and amendments are made. The passing of the law resulted in considerably higher salaries for officials of legislative and executive authority and of Supreme Court judges. Many judges however were left out, which caused frustration and great dissatisfaction among Croatian judges, and brought the political situation to a "white heat" level, the UHS Administrative Committee emphasised at today's session. The UHS believes the said law put the judiciary into an unequal position in relation to the legislative and executive authority. The UHS will therefore suggest that the rights and obligations of judges be decided by passing a separate law. UHS president Vladimir Gredelj was satisfied with a meeting UHS representatives had with Premier Zlatko Matesa and Justice Minister Milan Ramljak this Wednesday. It was agreed that by September this year the UHS would draft a proposal to resolve the problems of the judges' salaries. The Premier also announced a considerable increase in the judges' salaries starting January 1, 1999, Gredelj said. (hina) ha jn 241902 MET jul 98