LOWER HOUSE ADOPTS AMENDMENTS TO LAW ON ELECTION OF PRESIDENT

ZAGREB, June 27 (Hina) - The Croatian Parliament's House of Representatives on Friday adopted amendments to the Law on the Election of the President of the Republic of Croatia with 71 votes in favour, five against and 11 abstentions. Since the Law on the Election of the President was passed after the Law on Counties, Towns and Municipalities and changes to the electoral system, it was necessary to adjust the Law on the Election of the President terminologically and to introduce Croatian legal terminology into the text. The adopted amendments changed the text of the solemn oath which the President of the Republic swears before the Constitutional Court on the day he assumes office. The amended text now reads: "I swear on my honour that I will perform the duty of President of the Republic of Croatia conscientiously and responsibly for the benefit of the Croatian people and all Croatian citizens. As the head of state I will abide by the Constitution and law, ensure respect for the constitutional and legal order of the Republic of Croatia, watch over the proper and just functioning of all government bodies, preserve the independence, existence and unity of the State of Croatia. So help me God." In the continuation of the session, deputies voted on about thirty items on the agenda discussed in May and June, adopting several bills and reports. They ratified agreements on the avoidance of double taxation with Hungary and Ukraine. The House ended the spring session after a discussion on a bill on ratifying an agreement with the World Bank on a DM 160 million loan for the adjustment of the financial sector and enterprises. The loan would be repaid over 15 years with a five-year grace period. During the discussion, most deputies criticised the conditions set by the World Bank. Social Democratic Party (SDP) deputies said it was unacceptable that on the basis of a DM 160 million loan the World Bank should be given a chance to dictate long-term economic policies with terms under which Croatia has to complete the privatisation of public companies in a very short period of time by selling off more than 50 per cent of the shares of those companies. The SDP stance was backed by the Istrian Democratic Party (IDS), while Peasant Party (HSS) deputies said that the dictating of conditions by the World Bank infringed on Croatia's sovereignty. (hina) vm jn 272024 MET jun 97