CROATIAN PM: ZAGREB-SPLIT MOTORWAY IN NO WAY RELATED TO ELECTION

MASLENICA, June 26 (Hina) - The Zagreb-Split motorway will be constructed by June 2005 and it is in no way related to elections, either regular or early ones, Premier Ivica Racan said at a construction site in Maslenica (Zadar area). But the motorway is related to the need for the authorities to show they are efficient and can complete such a great and expensive project in record time, he added. #L# On Wednesday the Croatian Premier attended a session which a commission for the motorway's construction held in Maslenica. The motorway is 314 kilometres long. So far, contracts have been signed on the building of 227 kilometres, with the exception of the Zadar II-Prgomet section. At present 183 kilometres are under construction. Croatian workers and constructors are employed everywhere except in the Lika section which is being built by the French firm Bechtel. However, Bechtel has employed 2,500 workers and only nine percent are foreigners. Asked by reporters about the International Monetary Fund's criticism of the project and possible financial problems caused by the Fund's objection, Racan answered that the financing of the Zagreb-Split motorway was not questionable. "We do not complain about difficulties we must remove. Some IMF officials did not like the project, but it is out of the question that they might hamper it. I was very determined. First of all we respect our programmes, and then we can talk with the international community. Those problems are behind us. We did not want to bargain with anyone. The Zagreb-Split motorway is too important for Croatia, its development and life to make any concessions or bargains, even with the IMF," the Premier said. (hina) ms sb