ECONOMY MINISTER ON SOLVING 'PETROKEMIJA' ISSUE

KUTINA, Jan 18 (Hina) - The Croatian Economy Minister Goranko Fizulic on Friday morning visited Kutina's Petrokemija mineral fertiliser factory and said the temperature should rise by about five degrees Celsius at the beginning of next week which should enable a gradual normalisation of gas supply and the inclusion of the factory in the gas supply system. The Minister said that during the drawing up of the balance of energy supply and consumption for this year, one must think of Petrokemija. This morning, Fizulic held talks with representative of the factory management, the supervising committee and a workers' committee in charge of preventing the stoppage of production at Petrokemija. The minister told the press conference the government's decisions from yesterday's meeting between representatives of the workers' committee and deputy prime minister Goran Granic should be implemented immediately. Given that the supply of gas for the beginning of the production of mineral fertilisers depends on weather conditions, a more stable supply should be expected in February, Fizulic said. Spokesman for the workers' committee expressed satisfaction with Fizulic's statement that the standstill status of the factory in January will not affect the workers' salaries. (hina) it sb