SPLIT: US AFCO PROJECT PUT ON HOLD

SPLIT, Oct 1 (Hina) - After a discussion which lasted several hours, the Split City Council on Tuesday unanimously adopted an expert report on a US corporation AFCO's investment in the city port putting the project on hold for the time being. One councillor abstained. #L# The Council accepted the experts' proposal that international bids be invited for investments in the Split port, i.e. the City of Split, and that the US company be awarded the contract should it offer the most favourable programme. Over the past two years there has been much talk about AFCO, which was supported by the former city authorities, headed by mayor Ivan Skaric, however, the project was never made operational. It has been strongly opposed by some experts and Split residents because it significantly changes the city's infrastructure. The expert group has decided on the international bid in order to see which activities can be carried out without changing the city centre, which is under UNESCO's protection. (hina) rml sb