NEW LEGISLATION PROTECTS STATE SECRETS, VILIPENDED OFFICIALS

ZAGREB, March 29 (Hina) - The House of Representatives today enacted amendments to the Basic Penal Code, the Penal Code and the Penal Procedure Act. The amendments to the Basic Penal Code introduce a new criminal offence - the disclosure and publication of a state secret or part of a state secret. Members tabled fifteen amendments calling for the quashing of provisions relative to this offence, but they were all rejected. Justifying the introduction of the new offence, Justice Minister Miroslav Separovic said all the provisions in question were aimed at protecting the national security; similar clauses were contained in other European legislations. The main change introduced by the amendments to the Penal Code is a procedural one: in cases of libel against the President of the Republic, the Presidents of both Houses of Parliament, the Prime Minister and the Presidents of the Constitutional and Supreme Courts, the legal action will no longer be initiated by the offended party but by the state attorney, after obtaining the consent of the vilipended official. Minister Separovic explained that the intention of these amendments was not to protect the persons of officials but high state offices against vituperation and abuse. The number of officials thus protected was much smaller than in other European countries, he added. The House also approved a program of preparations for the next tourist season. The initiators are planning to realize 22 million room/nights and a US$ 1.8 billion income. The House passed a bill on the introduction of a ministry of return and immigration and an office for the protection of patriotic war victims, in the first reading. (hina) mm as 292027 MET mar 96