SIBENIK, July 7 (Hina) - Interior Minister Sime Lucin on Friday said claims about the possible connection between frequent fires and terrorism were damaging for Croatia. "Those making such claims should be held accountable," Lucin
said in Sibenik today. "It is true that phosphorus granules have been discovered in some villages in Croatia. However, of the 400 fires this year - causes have not been established only in 11 cases - none was caused by those granules and there is no reason to connect these two things, let alone speak about terrorism," Lucin said. Miroslav Kirincic of the Croatian Fire-Fighters' Association yesterday linked fires which broke out along the Adriatic coast with the phosphorus granules, adding that "a large number of fires were planted, and some were set up for political reasons." Kirincic later denied having made this statement. This morning Lucin visited fire sites in the
SIBENIK, July 7 (Hina) - Interior Minister Sime Lucin on Friday said
claims about the possible connection between frequent fires and
terrorism were damaging for Croatia.
"Those making such claims should be held accountable," Lucin said
in Sibenik today.
"It is true that phosphorus granules have been discovered in some
villages in Croatia. However, of the 400 fires this year - causes
have not been established only in 11 cases - none was caused by those
granules and there is no reason to connect these two things, let
alone speak about terrorism," Lucin said.
Miroslav Kirincic of the Croatian Fire-Fighters' Association
yesterday linked fires which broke out along the Adriatic coast
with the phosphorus granules, adding that "a large number of fires
were planted, and some were set up for political reasons." Kirincic
later denied having made this statement.
This morning Lucin visited fire sites in the area of Drnis and the
crisis headquarters in Drnis, which was set up due to a large number
of fires which broke out in the areas of Sibenik and Drnis.
Twenty-four fires broke out in Sibenik-Knin County in the past
three days, consuming about 1,300 hectares of grass, underbrush and
forest, reporters were told at a news conference.
Currently, all fires are under control, including the largest one,
in the Skradin hinterland, which broke out four days ago and is
difficult to put out because it has caught mine fields.
According to Lucin and Sibenik-Knin County Prefect Gordan Baraka,
most fires were caused by the careless behaviour of citizens and it
was agreed that fines for disregarding the fire regime in the open
be increased.
Lucin said fire-fighters had done their best to put out the fires in
Sibenik-Knin County.
Some omissions have been spotted in the implementation of measures
for fire prevention, such as monitoring and tending to fire-
fighting routes. The government, Lucin said, could not set aside
sufficient funds for preventive measures.
He announced that a special government working group would soon
suggest new, increased measures for fire prevention.
Sibenik County Prefect Baraka confirmed that declaring a state of
natural disaster in the county was being considered, however, it
was not certain whether this would have any sense because state
funds for damage compensation were empty.
(hina) jn rml