UPPER HOUSE SUPPORTS BILL ON GATHERING & PUBLIC PROTESTS

( Editorial: --> 8413 ) ZAGREB, April 21 (Hina) - The Croatian Parliament House of Counties on Tuesday supported a bill on peaceful gathering and public protest. Opposition MPs objected that the bill was drawn up hastily and that the ban on gathering in squares, parks or near schools, hospitals and cultural monuments would almost completely prohibit gatherings. However Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) representatives agreed that gatherings should not be allowed at these locations, adding that it would prevent other citizens from accessing or using them. HDZ deputies believe that Croatia's cultural and natural heritage should be protected. The House of Counties is still to discuss two bills on changes to the Law on Croatian Radio Television (HRT), which were proposed by the HDZ and the Croatian People's Party (HNS) in the House of Representatives. The two bills are aimed at opening HRT to quick, correct and objectively clear information. Both HDZ and HNS deputies proposed that the HRT broadcast programmes on two instead of the present three television channels, which would create a possibility for allocating a broadcast licence at the national level for the HRT's third TV channel. The HDZ suggests that the HRT Council should have 22 members - nine from among parliamentary representatives and 13 who would be appointed and relieved of their duties by the Croatian National Parliament at the proposal of different institutions, associations and religious communities. The HNS proposed that the Council have 25 members - nine MPs and 16 from public institutions. The HDZ also proposed that the Council appoint and relieve of duties editors-in-chief of radio and television programmes at the proposal of the HRT director, and on the basis of public competition. Editors-in-chief could not perform duties as party officials. The HNS also proposed that editors-in-chief be appointed and relieved of their duties by the Council. Editors-in-chief could not be members of any political party, HNS representatives said. (hina) jn rm /mb 211708 MET apr 98