CRO LOWER HOUSE ENDS DEBATE ON RESTITUTION AND COMPENSATION BILL

ZAGREB, Oct 9 (Hina) - The House of Representatives on Wednesday evening concluded a several hours' debate on the Restitution and Compensation Bill, which is in the second reading. A number of members welcomed the new version of the Bill as "much better" than the one presented in the first reading. Thus, Franjo Greguric (HDZ) opined that the Bill "attempted to redress as many injustices as possible," but it couldn't hope to "satisfy everyone." There was a faction in favour of a more consistent application of the natural restitution priunciple. This was the HSLS' (Croatian Social Liberal Party) line as voiced by Bench spokesman Jozo Rados at the beginning of this afternoon's debate. HSS Bench spokesman Josko Kovac also supported this line. Both HSLS and HSS insisted that the Bill should have a third reading. On the other hand, the Social Democrats voiced satisfaction with the level of protection of tenants' vested rights, which made the "Bill acceptable to the majority of the population" as Zeljka Antunovic put it. The Bill allows sitting tenants in nationalised and confiscated flats to buy the flats they are living in, while offering the owners monetary compensation. Zlatko Tomcic (HSS) objected that "nobody had said how much denationalisation was going to cost under this Bill." "The Government will insist on the Act being passed," Justice Minister Miroslav Separovic said in his closing speech. He adamantly rejected suggestions for a third reading. Responding to those advocating natural restitution, Separovic said a strict application of this principle would "infringe the rights of third persons." "Of course the most straighforward approach would be to offer compensation based on the market price, but Croatia will also have to finance post-war reconstruction," Separovic reminded the House. The House was then adjourned till tomorrow. (hina) as 092212 MET oct 96