LOWER HOUSE DEBATES MOTION ON HIGHEST OFFICIALS' SALARIES

ZAGREB, Oct 22 (Hina) - The Election, Appointments, and Administration Committee of the Croatian Sabor's (parliament) House of Representatives on Thursday suggested that the President of the Republic's salary be US$5,800, and that of the President of the Sabor and of the Prime Minister US$4,200. The motion was endorsed by the bench of the ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), with the explanation that it will enable credible duty performance, and keep quality and expert officials. The motion was endorsed in principle by the Croatian Party of Rights (HSP) bench, while it was opposed by the opposition. The Croatian Peasants' Party (HSP), the Croatian Social Liberal Party (HSLS), the Liberal party (LS), the Social Democratic Party (SDP), the Croatian People's Party (HNS) and the Istrian Democratic Forum (IDF) pointed out the suggested salaries were too high in view of the difficult economic and social situation in the country. Ivan Jakovcic of the Istrian Democratic Assembly (IDS) said discussing the highest ranking officials' salaries was completely wrong at this moment, and suggested the motion be either taken off the agenda or voted against. Zlatko Kramaric of the LS suggested a consensus for the rejection of the motion. Srecko Bijelic of the HNS/IDF bench believes the officials' salaries should be tied with the average salary and the economic growth. Hrvoje Kraljevic of the HSLS agreed. The motion is unreal and inappropriate, while the suggested amounts are too high, according to Snjezana Biga-Friganovic of the SDP. HSP's Vlado Jukic on the other hand believes US$5,800 is not too high a salary for the President of the Republic. According to Election, Appointments, and Administration Committee chairman Franjo Greguric, after being adopted by the Sabor, the motion would come into effect on November 1, 1998. The Lower House will resume its 34th session on Friday. (hina) ha