LOWER HOUSE DETERMINES SALARIES OF HIGHEST STATE OFFICIALS

ZAGREB, Oct 23 (Hina) - The Croatian National Sabor's (parliament) Lower House on Friday decided with a majority vote that the net salary of the President of the Republic shall amount to 35,000 kuna (about US$5,800), while the Parliament President and Premier will each receive a salary of 25,000 kuna (around US$4,150). These three decisions will go into force on the day of their announcement in the National Gazette, to be applied as of November 1 this year. The salaries of other state officials would be determined in relation to that of the Parliament President. According to the recently adopted changes to the Law on Rights and Obligations of State Officials, the proportion between the Parliament President's salary and the salaries of other MPs is 66 per cent. This means that MPs will receive salaries amounting to 16,500 kuna (US$2,750), while ministers will receive 18,000 kuna (US$3,000, which makes 72 per cent of the Parliament President's salary). The Lower House rejected amandements by the Croatian Social- Liberal Party (HSLS) suggesting lower salaries. Franjo Greguric of the Committee for Election, Appointments and Administrative Affiars said the amendments could not be accepted because the Committee had already confirmed the decisions on the salaries and sent them to the Lower House. All officials, including MPs, can, in keeping with their own conscience, chose whether to accept or reject the new salaries, or - should they chose so - give part of their salaries to various funds, he added. The House of Represnetatives also rejected a proposal by Luka Bebic of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) for MPs to submit written declarations on their property covering the period from the constitution of the two parliament houses to the end of this year. According to Bebic, the declarations should also refer to the official's spouses and other family members sharing the same household. Vladimir Seks (HDZ) said the proposal was contrary to the provisions of the Law on Rights and Obligations of State Officials, who are obliged to report the state of their property upon taking their office and before leaving it. The decisions on the salaries of the highest state officials were adopted without the majority of opposition MPs (Social-Democratic Party - SDP, Croatian Peasants' Party - HSS, HSLS, Liberal Party - LS and Istrian Democratic Assembly - IDS), who walked out of the session during the vote on amendments to the Law on Croatian Radio Television. (hina) rml /sp