PRESIDENT MESIC COMMENTS ON ECOLOGICAL INCIDENT NEAR SLUNJ

SLUNJ, Oct 31 (Hina) - Croatian President Stipe Mesic on Tuesday visited the location of an incident which occurred Friday when a cistern carrying sulphuric acid overturned on the road near Slunj (about 80km south of Zagreb), leaking 7,800 litres of its contents onto the road and the nearby river. Because of the ecological incident the residents of Slunj and surrounding areas are without drinking water, and possible repercussions are yet to be determined. After speaking with Slunj town and Karlovac County residents about the problem, President Mesic told reporters all bodies put in charge of removing the consequences of the incident had done their part of the job. They did their job at the highest standard and we can be certain that relevant services are engaged immediately following such accidents, he said. The clearing of the area has been done well and there is no room for criticism, Mesic asserted, adding that a problem was that the safe transport of such contents had not been well organised, implying a conflict among several regulations, because of the lack of a prohibition of transportation without escort. It is logical that such a dangerous shipment be transported with an escort, and this must be regulated by laws harmonised with European standards, Mesic asserted. He added he would support such an initiative and expected the Government to make one. (hina) lml jn