PM SAYS HIGHWAY TO DUBROVNIK TO BE COMPETED BY 2008

DUBROVNIK, July 15 (Hina) - Croatian Prime Minister Ivica Racan said at Tuesday's session of the commission for the construction of the Zagreb-Split highway that the highway to Dubrovnik would be completed as planned -- by 2008-- while some sections would be completed even before the deadline. #L# The PM also commented on his visit to Sarajevo yesterday and talks on a free passage through Neum, adding that it was agreed that the issue be solved within two months. The highway will be constructed in southern Croatia and the only question is whether it will go through the neighbouring country or not, said Racan. The director of the Croatian Roads company, Stanko Kovac, presented data on the government's programme for highway construction between 2001 and 2005, adding that the plan was to construct 402 kilometres of highways. Only this year 120 kilometres will be completed, said Racan adding that five contracts on the thorough reconstruction of 184 kilometres of highways would be signed on July 18. The project is worth EUR68 million. (hina) it sb