HSS PRESIDENT: FARMERS' PROTESTS COULD CEASE TODAY

ZAGREB, June 30 (Hina) - Following talks with representatives of the milling and baking industries, a delegation of the Croatian Farmers' Association (HSS), led by president Ivan Kolar, on Wednesday afternoon held talks with Agriculture Minister Ivan Djurkic and his associates. If the agreement reached today is confirmed, road blocks set up by Croatian farmers should be removed, Kolar said. Assistant Agriculture Minister Vlado Bicanic said all conditions for discontinuing the protests and enabling the normal functioning of traffic had been created. Speaking about the meeting of HSS representatives and Premier Zlatko Matesa this morning, Kolar said the two sides had harmonised their views and the only issue which remained to be solved was the price of wheat yields in 1999. It has been agreed, Kolar continued, that the HSS be included in all consultations on the quantity of imported goods. The only interest the association was governed by when it demanded a ban on the import of goods was the protection of domestic production, he said. Kolar said the two sides had agreed on priorities in the purchase of yields, as well as that the price be economically justified and that payments be made within an appropriate deadline. Part of the debts to farmers are already being paid, Kolar said, stressing it was important for farmers to be given guarantees by the Finance and Agriculture Ministries that the dynamics of payment of the remaining claims, which are in the jurisdiction of the two ministries, be determined. The state must intervene in case of economic subjects which had received funds from the state budget but failed to direct them to farmers, Kolar said. Asked to comment on claims that the protests were directly damaging the country's tourism, Kolar said farmers were fully aware of the current situation, but neither him nor the Association had the mandate to do anything except to continue talks until an agreement was reached. This is no longer our problem only but the problem of responsible people in the executive authorities, Kolar said. Kolar said the two sides were close to an agreement, adding he expected problems to be resolved today, so that roads could be re- opened for traffic. The HSS president dismissed claims that the protests have caused huge damage to Croatia's economy. Farmers are willing to accept a debate on damage done to tourism, but one should first establish responsibility for the current problems and position of farmers, Kolar said. The price of wheat will have to be determined at today's talks, he added. Assistant Agriculture Minister Vlado Bicanic said producers had demanded that the purchase price of wheat be above the guaranteed price, which was only normal, because the guaranteed price was the lower price. We believe the market is ready for the purchase of wheat yields in 1999 and that there are no major problems. The only problem is the overall illiquidity of companies which could buy up the wheat, Bicanic said adding his ministry had already promised financial assistance. Judging from the talks between farmers and representatives of the baking and milling industries, the price of wheat per one kilogram could be set at US$0.12 or US$0.13, Bicanic said. (hina) rml