GOVT ADOPTS ANNEXES TO AGREEMENT ON SPECIAL RELATIONS

ZAGREB, Dec 23 (Hina) - The Croatian Government on Thursday adopted an annex on cooperation in fighting terrorism, drug smuggling and abuse and organised crime, and an annex on cooperation in the hand- and take-over of persons with illegal residence within the Agreement on Special Relations between Croatia and the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Government's Public Relations Office reported. Today's session, chaired by Finance Minister Borislav Skegro, also adopted regulations on the payment of children allowances in the first quarter of 2000 and on the time counting system in 2000. The session set the amount for compensating costs in the upcoming presidential campaign and harmonised personal and family disability pensions in 1999 with the Law on the Rights of Croatian Homeland War Soldiers. It also adopted a proposal for fulfilling some of obligations toward Croatian construction companies involved in the Zagreb-Gorican highway project. The Government approved various forms of assistance to a number of domestic companies, and adopted a report on implementing the Programme of Renewal and Credit-Financing of the Purchase of Agricultural Machinery as well as a decision on salary compensation for January 3, 2000, which is the day of the parliamentary election and a holiday. The Government appointed Kresimir Cosic director of the Centre for Strategic Studies and Research. (hina) rml