ZAGREB, March 7 (Hina) - Prime Minister Ivica Racan and members of the government answered a series of questions about topical issues at Wednesday's session of parliament's House of Representatives. Ivic Pasalic of the Croatian
Democratic Union (HDZ) inquired what the government would do after the UN war crimes tribunal in The Hague established in judgements to Tihomir Blaskic and Dario Kordic, two Bosnian Croats, that an international conflict took place in Bosnia in the 1990s. He inquired what the government intended to do to protect national interests as the Hague judgements would state Croatia was an aggressor. The prime minister refrained from commenting before the judgements became final. He said it was his and the government's position that Croatia had not been an aggressor in Bosnia. He added it did not mean "there was no liability on the Croatian policy's part for the situation in (Bosnia), o
ZAGREB, March 7 (Hina) - Prime Minister Ivica Racan and members of
the government answered a series of questions about topical issues
at Wednesday's session of parliament's House of Representatives.
Ivic Pasalic of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) inquired what
the government would do after the UN war crimes tribunal in The
Hague established in judgements to Tihomir Blaskic and Dario
Kordic, two Bosnian Croats, that an international conflict took
place in Bosnia in the 1990s. He inquired what the government
intended to do to protect national interests as the Hague
judgements would state Croatia was an aggressor.
The prime minister refrained from commenting before the judgements
became final. He said it was his and the government's position that
Croatia had not been an aggressor in Bosnia. He added it did not mean
"there was no liability on the Croatian policy's part for the
situation in (Bosnia), or liability for the unfortunate war between
Muslims and Croats."
Racan said the Hague tribunal did not prosecute states, but
individuals.
He and Veterans Minister Ivica Pancic confirmed that the families
of some 4,000 veterans from Bosnia, who died defending Croatia,
would be provided for after a Croatia-Bosnia agreement was
reviewed.
Asked if childbirth allowances would be returned to previous
levels, the prime minister said it was possible if maternity leave
was reduced.
Speaking about the dire social situation in the southern town of
Knin and areas of special government concern, Racan said the
government would propose by the end of the month additional funds
and a special social programme covering some 125,000 people.
Finance Minister Mato Crkvenac refuted claims by HDZ's Hrvoje
Vojvoda that Croatia had signed an unfavourable agreement with the
International Monetary Fund. Crkvenac said Croatia had not been
offered a typical stand-by arrangement, like the ones signed by
states in trouble, but one similar to those signed even by states in
a better position than Croatia. He added the arrangement had
already helped Croatia make a better sale of government bonds.
Health Minister Ana Stavljenic-Rukavina refuted claims by HDZ's
Zdravka Busic that Croatia abruptly cancelled a protocol signed
with Bosnia in 1994 under which insurees from the southern Bosnian
town of Mostar were able to seek health care in Croatia.
Stavljenic-Rukavina said the protocol was still in force and
negotiations underway on further forms and modes of cooperation.
Under the protocol, 344 patients have been receiving permanent
treatment in Croatian hospitals since 1993, with costs totalling
DM25 million.
Asked why retired persons with minimum pensions had not felt an
increase in February's pensions, Labour and Social Welfare
Minister Davorko Vidovic said that owing to serious problems in
financing pensions, an increase in minimum pensions was not to be
expected this year. They will, however, be adjusted twice annually
if costs of living increase, he said.
Interior Minister Sime Lucin said 1999 saw 34 cases of illegal wire-
tapping, and added that all who were involved were no longer
employed at the ministry.
(hina) ha sb