LOWER HOUSE ENDS SESSION

ZAGREB, Oct 2 (Hina) - The Parliament House of Representatives on Thursday ended its work by closing a discussion on the final bill on confirming a contract on a loan for the adjustment of the financial sector and companies between Croatia and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The loan amounts to more than 160 million German marks and its confirmation would help draw the first DM 80-million instalment, Vice Premier Borislav Skegro said, adding the second instalment was connected with the fulfilment of conditions from the Letter on Development Policy, which accompanies the contract. Should some of those conditions not be met, it would not be possible to draw the second instalment, Skegro said. #L# Speaking about the pressure exerted by the international community through international financial institutions, Skegro said that the contract was not in that package and could not be stopped by any intervention. In a short discussion about the bill, MPs criticised the conditions from the Letter on Development Policy, as, among other things, it envisaged the restructuring and privatisation of public companies (such as the Croatian Oil Company, Croatian Power Industry, Croatian Post and Telecommunications) while Parliament has not discussed the strategy of economic development. The lower house is to continue its discussion tomorrow and is expected to vote on all items discussed during this week. (hina) jn rm 022241 MET oct 97