COUNTY HOUSE ENDORSES SUSPENSION OF SANCTIONS AGAINST FRY

ZAGREB, 17 September (Hina) - Following a debate, County House of the Croatian Parliament endorsed a bill on temporary suspension of the law on implementation of the UN Security Council Resolutions concerning economic sanctions against FRY (Serbia and Montenegro). By simple majority the house also endorsed bill of a general amnesty act. The House has also embrace the initiative by the Association of the DPs of Croatia that the Parliament adopt a resolution proclaiming 15 January the expiration date of UNTAES' mandate in Croatian, which can not be extended. In the citation of the bill on suspension of sanctions against FRY, Deputy Economy Minister Jasna Boric stressed suspension would be temporary and subject to the Parliament's approval, following passing of relevant decisions by the Security Council. The bill on general amnesty was presented by Justice Minister Miroslav Separovic. He explained it as an act pardoning perpetrators of crimes committed during the aggression, insurgence or fighting in Croatia, or related to those criminal acts. The bill does not apply to persons suspected of war crimes, instigation of aggression, racial and other discrimination, hostage taking, terrorism, etc. The amnesty would cover the period between 17 August 1990 and 23 August 1996. jn (Hina) 172144 MET sep 96