DJURKIC: THERE IS NO REASON FOR FARMERS' PROTESTS

ZAGREB, Oct 20 (Hina) - There is no reason for farmers' protests, Croatian Agriculture Minister Ivan Djurkic said on Wednesday. The Government is making efforts and regularly fulfilling its obligations envisaged by the agreement of June 30, and in line with the agreed dynamics, said Djurkic. Of a total of 937 million kuna, which were set aside for agricultural incentives, stimulation, and compensation, 707 million have been spent so far; 131,000 tonnes of wheat have been purchased and orders for the payment of 101 million kuna have been sent, he said. Djurkic claimed that his meeting with representatives of Croatia's farmers' associations, which took place on Tuesday, had been misinterpreted in the public by the Croatian Farmers' Association (HSS) leadership. After Djurkic's yesterday meeting with the farmers' associations, the HSS said its representatives walked out of the meeting because Premier Zlatko Matesa failed to appear. However, Djurkic was adamant that "there had been no official request that Matesa be present at the meeting". According to Djurkic, the statement that HSS representatives left the meeting is also not true. "They participated in the meeting and left earlier", he said. (hina) jn rml