ZAGREB, Sept 1 (Hina) - The US Government has donated five million dollars to the Croatian Ministry of Public Works, Reconstruction and Construction for the re-electrification of war-stricken areas, Reconstruction Minister Radimir
Cacic and US Ambassador William Montgomery told reporters in Zagreb on Friday.
ZAGREB, Sept 1 (Hina) - The US Government has donated five million
dollars to the Croatian Ministry of Public Works, Reconstruction
and Construction for the re-electrification of war-stricken areas,
Reconstruction Minister Radimir Cacic and US Ambassador William
Montgomery told reporters in Zagreb on Friday. #L#
The US Government has been implementing a programme of assistance
in the reconstruction of Croatia and the return of all refugees for
several years, but the programme has so far been conducted only
unilaterally, in cooperation with some Croatian towns, but not the
central authority, Ambassador Montgomery said.
Changes brought about by the January elections have made it
possible for that process to change into a partnership with
Croatian authorities, the ambassador said.
Montgomery said it was clear that five million dollars was not
nearly enough for the completion of electrification, but it was at
least a start.
Decisions on how the donation is used will be made by a joint working
group consisting of representatives of the US Agency for
International Development (USAID) and the Croatian Power Industry
(HEP), which will be coordinated by the Reconstruction Ministry.
Priority will be given to those areas which Croatia mentioned as the
most important ones in a project presented to the Stability Pact,
Montgomery said.
The project, which will include 10-12 municipalities, should be
completed by the end of 2001.
Reconstruction Minister Cacic said the US would provide 60 percent
of funds, whereas Croatia would provide 40 percent of funds needed
for the project of re-electrification of war-stricken areas.
The money donated by the US Government will be used for purchasing
equipment, the HEP will provide work force, and the Reconstruction
Ministry will provide funds from its own budget.
These funds will be used mostly for the reconstruction of low-
voltage systems in the war-hit areas, and the USAID will also
consider financing the reconstruction of high-voltage
transmission lines in those areas where they are necessary for
supplying power to low-voltage systems.
(hina) rml