RECONSTRUCTION MINISTER RECEIVES INCOMING U.S. AMBASSADOR

ZAGREB, July 1 (Hina) - The Minister of Public Works, Reconstruction and Construction, Radimir Cacic, on Monday received the newly-accredited U.S. Ambassador to Croatia, Ralph Frank, and the Director of the US Agency for International Development (USAID), William Jeffers, Cacic's ministry said in a statement. #L# The talks focused on the existing projects of the U.S. government in Croatia, possibilities of further cooperation and increased participation of U.S. agencies in reconstruction projects. Cacic said there was still a great need for support and assistance in the reconstruction and development of the infrastructure and revitalisation and development of the economy. Frank said that some projects financed by the US government were not sufficiently recognised and were sometimes even underestimated in the public, which downplayed the actual contribution of the US government to reconstruction work in Croatia. It was agreed that all American activities in reconstruction projects would be analysed in the next 20 days in cooperation with the Ministry of Public Works, and that stronger coordination of these activities would be established. (hina) vm