PRIVATISATION FUND ALLOCATES PORTFOLIO SHARES TO 5,000 WAR VICTIMS

ZAGREB, June 6 (Hina) - The Croatian Privatisation Fund (HFP) will allocate DM38million-worth of shares from its portfolio to Homeland War invalids and families of killed soldiers who have not yet exerted their right in voucher privatisation. HFP president Hrvoje Vojkovic said on Tuesday the number of such persons was about 5,000. HFP will allocate shares from seven first-rate companies, sweets manufacturer Kras, food-processing industry Podravka, tourist companies Plava Laguna, Riviera Holding, Laguna Commerce, and the Piramida and TUP Lovor companies. Commenting on a HFP demand for initiating bankruptcy proceedings in 300 companies in which the state's ownership share exceeds 25 percent, and some of whose board members have been criminally charged, Vojkovic announced filing damages claims. Damages claims will also be filed against supervisory board members whose uncoscientious work contributed to poor business. Vojkovic declined to say which companies he was referring to, mentioning only PIK Vrbovec and the NAMA department store chain. Vojkovic announced changes in the privatisation law to ensure better protection for small shareholders, and the privatisation of Croatia Osiguranje, Croatia's largest insurance company. HFP believes the company should be privatised as soon as possible, this year already, he said. (hina) ha jn