US AMBASSADOR VISITS CROATIAN UNA RIVER REGION

SISAK, Feb 27 (Hina) - The US Ambassador to Croatia, Lawrence Rossin, and his associates on Wednesday visited Dvor municipality in the Croatian Una River region, into whose reconstruction the US government has invested around 10 million kuna since December 2000. Ambassador Rossin visited the repaired fire-fighting and community centre in the Croat-dominated village of Divusa, where an agreement on partnership between Dvor municipality and the US Agency for International Development (USAID) was signed. Under the agreement, USAID will repair municipal infrastructure and facilities which are essential for the normal living of the residents of the Dvor area. Rossin also visited the Serb-dominated village of Paukovac near Dvor, where he was informed about the reconstruction of the local low-voltage power grid, which is being financed by the USAID. The US ambassador attended the opening of a repaired school and offices of the local committee in the Serb village of Rujevac near Dvor. The reconstruction of all of these facilities was financed by the US government as part of assistance to the Croatian war- affected areas. Rossin said the agreement on partnership would extend assistance to include agriculture and small and medium- sized businesses. (hina) sb rml