CROATIAN PARLIAMENT ADOPTS LAW ON RECONSTRUCTION OF VUKOVAR

ZAGREB, May 3 (Hina) - The Croatian parliament on Thursday unanimously adopted a Law on the Reconstruction and Development of Vukovar, which is aimed at eliminating material consequences of war destruction, estimated at more than 10 billion kuna. Under the law, the reconstruction process will be financed with budgetary funds, loans, donations and from other sources. All funds intended for the reconstruction of the town will be kept in a separate budget, to be used for the reconstruction of housing and commercial facilities and infrastructure and demining. The government refused most of some 20 amendments to the law, including the one of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), which moved that the law define the amount of budgetary funds for the reconstruction of Vukovar. It also refused an amendment on a 20 percent increase of the salaries of public and civil servants and an amendment on granting free textbooks to all students in the Vukovar area. The law also envisages special incentives, such as customs benefits for the import of business equipment and pension and health insurance benefits. Incentives will also be used to stimulate crafts, farm co- operatives and medium and small companies whereas Vukovar students will be given grants on condition that they return to the town once they have completed their studies. (hina) rml