CONCESSION FOR FOURTH NET TO BE GRANTED SOON

ZAGREB, Oct 29 (Hina) - The ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) believes that the adopted amendments to the Law on Croatian Radio- Television (HRT) are a significant step in the further democratisation of public media, particularly Croatian Television. The amendments are meet the achievements and standards of European countries, the vice president of the Croatian National Sabor (parliament), Jadranka Kosor, told a Thursday press conference in the HDZ headquarters in Zagreb. Kosor regretted that the assessments of the law made by the Organisation for Security and Cooperation (OSCE). The OSCE mission to Croatia believes that by adopting the amendments, Croatia missed a vital opportunity for the democratic reform of HRT. Kosor believes the changes adopted by the Sabor last Friday are a positive step, and pointed out the de-politicisation of HRT's Council as an example. Deputy Transport and Communications Minister Dominik Filipovic, announced that one or two days after the law was to come into effect, a bid for tenders for the concession of a fourth national television station would be published. The amendments, which will be enforced eight days after an announcement in Narodne Novine, an official gazette, determine that HRT will continue airing on three channels, while a bid for the concession for the fourth channel will be on a national level, which provoked the most questions from reporters. Filipovic stressed that the Ministry had already laid the grounds for the forth net, and that the persons granted the concession will also have the obligation of building the net. The building and completion of the necessary 120 transmitters Filipovic estimates will cost about DEM20-25 million. The building may be divided in phases and according to Filipovic it will most likely last three years. (hina) it jn/ha