THERE IS NO THREAT OF MAD COW DISEASE IN CROATIA

ZAGREB, April 12 (Hina) - Croatia's government on Thursday accepted a report submitted by the national veterinary inspection on its work in 2000. According to the report, thanks to the consistent control which the inspection carried out last year, Croatia acquired a status of a country free of mad cow and foot-and-mouth disease. However, the country is still facing problems of trichinosis and rabies. At present there is no serious threat of mad cow disease, and very soon relevant bodies will introduce speedy tests for this disease. The Ivica Racan Cabinet today decided to initiate procedure for the conclusion of an agreement with the World Bank which should offer five million dollars as technical assistance to Croatian commercial courts to solve bankruptcy cases. The assistance will be also used for introducing information technology in the courts' work. The European Investment Bank may take part in investing the reconstruction of the railway corridor Vc from the Croatian seaport of Ploce through Bosnia-Herzegovina to the Croatian border with Hungary. The project of reconstruction, which should finish in 2005, is worth over 96 million euro. The Croatian Railways are to finance the project with 50 million euro, which the company may obtain as a loan from the said bank. The rest should be ensured by Croatia. (hina) sb ms