HRT, FEDERATION TV SIGN AGREEMENT ON SALE OF HRT TRANSMITTERS

ZAGREB, Oct 30 (Hina) - The Croatian Radio-Television (HRT) and the Television of the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina (FTV) signed on Tuesday a contract on the sale of HRT transmitters located on the Federation territory. The value of the transmitters, which were installed in 1997 and 1998 on 15 locations, mostly in central Bosnia, is around 2.5 million kuna. They have not been operating since the closing down of the TV station Erotel two years ago, HRT director Mirko Galic said at an agreement-signing ceremony in Zagreb on Tuesday. The FTV will pay for the transmitters in the form of office leasing, provision of professional services, and other technical assistance. The HRT will let the FTV rebroadcast some of its programmes, so that "the Croatian language could continue to be present among Croats in Bosnia-Herzegovina" following the discontinuation of HRT broadcasts in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Galic said. Such cooperation of the two media companies will last until the FTV meets the needs of all constituent peoples in the country, FTV director Jasmin Durakovic said, adding the FTV programme would equally address all BH citizens. The FTV is interested in almost all HRT broadcasts, except for the news and political programmes, which it intends to produce on its own, Durakovic said. The signing of the agreement was attended by members of the HRT and FTV management boards, members of the Office of the High Representative to Bosnia-Herzegovina, and officials from the Croatian communications and foreign ministries. (hina) rml