RECONSTRUCTION PROJECTS STARTED LAST YEAR ARE PRIORITY - RADIC

VUKOVAR, Apr 14 (Hina) - Croatian Reconstruction and Development Minister Jure Radic on Wednesday said in Vukovar buildings whose reconstruction began last year were top priority in the reconstruction plan for eastern Croatia. For the past two days, Radic has been visiting locations in the Vukovar-Srijem County where reconstruction is in course. "When these buildings are completed, during April and May, we will begin with the reconstruction of 2,000 new family houses," the minister said. The Reconstruction and Development Ministry will propose that the government grant the payment of a special bonus to the support allowance, returnees are already receiving for the reconstruction of their houses. Radic said that in the next two weeks, a proposal will be made to the government to adopt a law on incentives for Croatia's demographically and economically underdeveloped areas, which would replace the current law on areas of special government concern. Speaking about the reconstruction of Vukovar, which Radic said will take years, he announced the reconstruction of a high school, a Franciscan monastery, and the St. Philip and Jacob's Church. He reiterated the Reconstruction and Development Ministry had settled all obligations to last year's contractors in the reconstruction works. (hina) ha/sp lml