HOUSE OF COUNTIES STARTS SESSION

( Editorial: --> 2169 ) ZAGREB, Sept 22 (Hina) - The Croatian National Parliament House of Counties on Tuesday convened for its 19th session after a summer pause. After a short discussion the MPs determined the session's agenda, which instead of the initial thirty now has twenty items. Discussions on a bill on public assembly and four bills regarding the health system have been postponed for the next session. The Committee for Judiciary, Election and Appointment has proposed that discussions on changes to the Law on the Judicial Council and on the situation in judiciary be postponed for the next session, so that materials on those issues could be completed. Two new bills have been included in the agenda, one of them being a bill on changes to the Law on Stock Issuing and Trading. Social Democratic Party (SDP) representative Ivan Ninic expressed dissatisfaction with the fact that the MPs were not given a chance to interview the Government members during the Question Hour. Ninic believes that the MPs should be given a possibility to "make enquiries" to the Government at least once a month. House of Counties President Katica Ivanisevic said this was not possible without changing the House of Counties rule book. The upper house will be in session next week as well. The expansion of the agenda is possible. (hina) jn it/rml 221358 MET sep 98