CROATIA'S LOWER HOUSE BEGINS EXTRAORDINARY SESSION

ZAGREB, Dec 18 (Hina) - The Croatian Parliament's House of Representatives began an extraordinary session on Wednesday to discuss a three-year social welfare programme. The social welfare programme was outlined by Labour and Social Welfare Minister Joso Skara, who said that it was based on "permanent systematic solutions" which provide for citizens to ensure their social security through participation in the successful economic development. "The programme is economy-oriented, it envisages a general increase in living standards, particularly of employees and pensioners, but also of other social groups such as poverty- stricken and displaced people, the unemployed and social welfare users," Skara said. The government envisaged 6.8 billion kuna ($1.2 billion) in the draft budget for the implementation of the programme, Skara said. Speaking on behalf of the Labour, Social Policy and Health Committee, Vera Stanic of the ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) said that it was unrealistic to expect the fulfilment of all the rights provided for in the programme. Stanic called for revision of all rights, proposing that only those be retained that could be covered by the budget. Her committee obligated the government to submit a report on population policy within the next six months. Deputies of the Social Liberal Party (HSLS) and the Peasant Party (HSS) said that the needs expressed in the programme exceeded financial capabilities and that it would be very hard to fulfil them. Social Democratic Party (SDP) deputies suggested postponing a discussion on the programme which they described as "inconsistent and controversial." The proposal was backed by the Istrian Democratic Alliance (IDS). Deputies are to discuss ten more items on the agenda, including the 1997 budget draft. (hina) vm jn 181449 MET dec 96