CROATIAN PARLIAMENT PASSES SEVERAL BILLS

ZAGREB, March 1 (Hina) - The Croatian Parliament lower house on Friday unanimously adopted a draft program for return of displaced persons and a reconstruction bill. Deputies ratified the convention on protection and use of cross-border waterways and international lakes, which was in urgent procedure. Also adopted were amendments to the Sales Tax Act which would reduce tax on some products from the current 32 percent to 26.5 percent. The House unanimously passed the Mine Clearance Act. About three million various explosive devices are estimated to be scattered in Croatia, polluting about 300,000 hectares of land. About a million hectares are yet to be inspected for unexploded mines. (hina) vm 011737 MET mar 96