MEASURES TO FIGHT CRIME IN OIL TRANSIT ARE UNDER PREPARATIONS

ZAGREB, Jan 21 (Hina) - Experts at competent ministries held a working meeting at the government building Monday to discuss amendments to a regulation on the transport of dangerous substances, and a set of measures to prevent crime and smuggling in the transit of oil and oil products by cisterns through Croatia. Experts at ministries of foreign affairs, internal affairs, finance, and maritime, transport and communications have to prepare a comprehensive proposal of measures for the prevention of crime and smuggle in the oil products transit, the measures being oriented towards environmental protection. Draft measures could be on the government's agenda Thursday. Before they are adopted, the measures would be presented to representatives of neighbouring countries. Today's meeting is an extension of a meeting held Friday and encouraged by Premier Ivica Racan. Racan then announced the government should be discussing amendments to the regulation and a decree in dispute which prohibit the transit of oil and oil products by cisterns through Croatia this week. The decree caused flaming reactions by neighbouring countries, particularly Slovenia and Bosnia. Racan said the government would re-examine and update the regulation so to establish a stricter control of the transit through Croatia, whether the transporter is domestic or foreign, and with an aim of a more efficient struggle against crime and the environment protection. Amendments to the regulation of the transport of dangerous substances in road traffic, under which the transit of oil and oil products is allowed only by the oil pipeline, railways, the river and sea routes, went in to force January 16. After Slovenia's and Bosnia's furious reactions, the government announced amendments to the regulation and the complete package of measures, as well as the re-approval of the transit with stricter control measures. (hina) np sb