GOVERNMENT HOPES TO SPEED UP CLEARING OF MINES

( Editorial: --> 3184 ) ZAGREB, Feb 19 (Hina) - The Croatian Government has sent the Croatian National Parliament a proposed amendment to the Law on Mine-Clearing to speed up the clearing of mines in areas previously under Serb occupation. At its meeting on Thursday, the Government also adopted a regulation on the establishment of the Croatian Mines Centre in Sisak. On behalf of the Government, Prime Minister Zlatko Matesa thanked the Defence and Interior Ministries for the professional work done so far in mine-clearing. The Government also confirmed this year's spring sowing program and a decision on establishing a Pension Reform Commission, with Deputy Prime Minister Ljerka Mintas-Hodak named as coordinator. The Government also backed the proposed law on wages of authorised state auditors, which was proposed by the finance committee of the House of Representatives. (Hina) jn mb 191711 MET feb 98