82-KILOMETRE SECTION OF ZAGREB-SPLIT HIGHWAY OPENED FOR TRAFFIC

ZADAR, June 30 (Hina) - The 82-kilometre-long newly-built section of the Zagreb-Split highway from Udbina via Gornja Ploca to Zadar was opened for traffic Monday. The construction of this part of the highway cost 2.2 billion kuna (approx. 93 mln. euros). #L# Officially opening the section, Croatian Prime Minister Ivica Racan recalled that criticism about and mistrust in the possibility of building this highway had been expressed but also that the entire project of a highway towards the Croatian south had been dreamed of for decades. "We succeeded in accomplishing this goal when Croatia's political, economic and financial rating is improved," PM Racan said. He thanked everybody who contributed to the construction, primarily Croatian citizens who showed confidence and support. In this context Racan in particular thanked a retired doctor from Zagreb, Pavao Miletic, who donated 312,000 kuna (approx. EUR41,600) for the construction of the highway. Racan announced that this year 150 kilometres of highways would be opened for traffic, while in 2004 this number should amount to 190 kilometres. Croatia, he said, is building a road network in order to benefit from its geo-strategic position, integrate itself in Europe, and ensure a better standard for its citizens. At the opening ceremony, singer Vice Vukov sang his famous patriotic song, written in early 1970s when the then Croatian political leadership led by Savka Dabcevic Kucar and Mika Tripalo for the first time emphasised the importance of plans for the construction of the Zagreb-Split highway as a Croatian strategic goal. Savka Dabcevic Kucar attended Monday's opening ceremony. Attending were also President Stipe Mesic and parliament president Zlatko Tomcic. The Udbina-Gornja Ploca-Zadar II section has 42 facilities and it also includes the 5,670-metre-long St.Rok Tunnel. (hina) ms sb