Djapic described as untenable and incomplete the institution of countersignature of the President of the Republic and the Prime Minister, which is applied when leading people of the intelligence community are appointed. He recalled that the institution was introduced through constitutional amendments when President Stjepan Mesic and the last Parliament took office.
"This institution is incomplete and should be abolished, or it should be clearly defined what happens if one of the countersignatories refuses to dismiss someone, as is the case with POA Director Josko Podbevsek," said Pero Kovacevic, HSP deputy and member of the National Security and Home Policy Committee.
Kovacevic said that the decision by the National Security and Home Policy Committee to leave to the National Security Council the investigation into whether POA agents had violated the law and the Constitution when they had questioned free-lance journalist Helena Puljiz, was wrong.
"The case should be returned to the Parliament and decision should be postponed until the completion of the presidential campaign," he said.
Djapic said it was indicative that Mesic had not requested an opinion from the Parliament on Podbevsek's dismissal although the law provided for such a possibility.
"The story should be left to the Parliament rather than allow it to be used in the election campaign in a way that is certainly damaging to Croatia," Djapic said, adding that the scandal with the intelligence service might harm Croatia's reputation at "this sensitive moment" when the country is expecting a date for the start of membership talks with the European Union.
"The POA case might be resolved if the HSP took over the intelligence community, because only we are competent enough to do that," Djapic said.