GOVERNMENT FINALISES LETTER OF INTENT ON BOSNIA HIGHWAY

ZAGREB, Aug 21 (Hina) - The Croatian government on Thursday finalised the text of a letter of intent on the model of Croatia's participation in the construction of a highway through Bosnia- Herzegovina. #L# "I am deeply convinced that, regardless of whether this letter of intent is accepted or not, Bosnia-Herzegovina will see our move as that of a good neighbour," Prime Minister Ivica Racan said. Racan said it depended on the competent authorities of Bosnia- Herzegovina how the highway, which will run from the Hungarian capital of Budapest via Bosnia-Herzegovina to the southern Croatian seaport of Ploce, would be constructed. "We, of course, will not be angry if our assistance is not accepted," he added. The prime minister said it seemed that Croatia's interest in building the highway did not have a favourable reception in some quarters in Bosnia-Herzegovina, but added that he believed the letter of intent would be accepted in good faith. Costs of preparation of documents for a public tender are estimated at 7-9 million US dollars. We are ready to finance that regardless of who wins the deal at the international tender, Racan said. Public Works Minister Radimir Cacic said that the only condition under which Croatia was ready to finance and carry out the minimum of preparatory work was that an international public tender be announced within a year of completion of the preparatory work. The letter of intent said that the importance of the highway for Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croatia was immeasurable, and that Croatia was interested in planning, designing and constructing the highway. The length of the highway through Bosnia-Herzegovina will be about 330 kilometres. Transport Minister Roland Zuvanic announced that transport ministers of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia and Hungary would meet early next month to reaffirm their countries' interest in building the highway along the so-called Corridor 5C and to agree on points of contact on the borders. (hina) vm