CRO GOVT DISCUSSES DAMAGE CAUSED BY NATO ACTION AGAINST FRY

ZAGREB, May 13 (Hina) - Direct and indirect damage to Croatian economy caused by NATO actions against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia has been assessed at more than US$1.5 billion. This is a very high price for Croatian conditions. Damage is terrific for such a small state and economy, Prime Minister Zlatko Matesa said at a Government session o Thursday. The Government discussed a draft report o the state of damage in Croatian economy, and engaged ministries to continue following and correcting, if necessary, the assessments. Besides great damage to Croatian tourism, NATO's actions against the FRY causes significant damage in traffic, trade, other fields of the economy. Some contracted businesses have been cancelled, industrial production has declined, foreign trade has decreased, etc. According to figured presented, damage in industry has been assessed at US$800 million, damage in traffic by May US$11.5 million and could reach more than US$102.7 million by October. Seasonal employment in tourism and catering will lack some 20,000 people, but the Employment Fund will set aside US$15 million to pay compensation for them. (hina) lml