CRO PRESIDENT MESIC VISITS KARLOVAC COUNTY

KARLOVAC, June 27 (Hina) - Croatian President Stipe Mesic and his associates on Tuesday visited Karlovac County, namely Karlovac, Ogulin, Slunj, Josipdol, Plaski, Saborsko, and a camp of United States construction company Bechtel. Karlovac prefect Vlado Jelkovac told the President that during the Greater Serbian aggression in the area, 12,000 housing units have been demolished and over 3,000 houses have been reconstructed so far. Mayors and municipal heads supported the return of displaced persons, but also pointed to the fact that houses needed to be reconstructed and jobs must be provided for those who were to return. Mesic said he hoped for the accelerated reconstruction of the region. As soon as the Government endorses a development strategy, and the county, municipalities and towns will overcome many difficulties, he added. When asked about the blockade of the Podravina highway announced by Homeland War associations, the President expressed his opposition and added that the blockade would set Croatia one step behind. Those who want to isolate Croatia mean no good, Mesic stressed. When asked to comment the unveiling of a memorial plaque to infamous World War Two Ustashi colonel Jure Francetic, Mesic said Croatia must act as a law-based state. If a seven-story building can be torn down in Zagreb because it was built without a building permit, so can a monument which also didn't have a building permit, Mesic concluded. (hina) it mm.