HEAD STATE AUDITOR ANSWERS DEPUTIES' OBJECTIONS

ZAGREB, Feb 2 (Hina) - Because of a lack of quorum, the lower house has postponed the vote on approving the State Auditors' report for the next sitting. Summing up the debate on the reports submitted by the State Audit Office (see our story "Lower House Hears State Auditors' Report"), Head State Auditor Sima Krasic noted that the Office lacked proper premises and was struggling with too heavy a workload for its modest workforce. She then answered some of the objections that had been put during the debate. Concerning the Government's official opinion on the report (the lack of which was criticised by some deputies), Krasic said the Office had circulated copies of the report to all ministries, requiring their official opinion. So far, only the ministries of health and internal affairs have forwarded their opinions. As for the ministries of defence and internal affairs, they were being audited. The audit had started in July 1995 in both ministries, Krasic said. Public companies, the President's Office and the National Bank of Croatia have also been audited, Krasic added. After applauding the Head Auditor, Deputy Speaker Vladimir Seks read out the draft Conclusions, which had been previously agreed upon by all Party Benches. The draft Conclusions approve both reports and enjoin the police, the State Attorney's Office, the financial police and Inland Revenue to report to the Parliament, within three months, on the proceedings that have been instituted. The report is specify the names of suspects and the counts on which they are to face trial. The Government is enjoined to investigate the involvement of civil servants in illegal transactions within three months. (hina) mm as 022152 MET feb 96