LOWER HOUSE DEBATES REFERENDUM BILL

ZAGREB, Apr 17 (Hina) - The House of Representatives today debated a referendum bill, which was tabled under emergency procedure. The Bill was presented by Deputy Administration Minister, Antun Palaric, who said it regulated the organisation of state, local, and advisory referenda. For state referenda, the electorate includes adult Croatian nationals residing in Croatia or abroad. For local referenda, the suffrage is restricted to persons residing in the relevant municipality, county or city. Vice Vukojevic (HDZ) backed the Bill on behalf of the legislation committee. On behalf of the HSLS (Croatian Social Liberal Party) Bench, Vladimir Primorac criticised the provision giving people who live abroad the right to take part in a referendum and decide on vital issues. He was seconded by Damir Kajin (on behalf of the Istrian Democratic Alliance Bench) and Petar Zitnik on behalf of the Croatian Peasants' Party. The House also concluded the debate on a Bill ratifying the Cross-Border Environmental Influences Convention, which was tabled under emergency procedure. Croatia was interested in ratifying this Convention because its position exposed it to potentially harmful environmental influences from its neighbours, various members stressed. The vote on both bills is to be taken on Friday. (hina) mm as 171401 MET apr 96