CROATIAN NATIONAL SCIENCE COUNCIL ESTABLISHED

( Editorial: --> 8331 ) ZAGREB, June 2 (Hina) - The Croatian government on Tuesday established a National Science Council which will be presided by Prime Minister Zlatko Matesa. The most important task of the Council will be the implementation of the new national scientific and research programme which will soon be forwarded into the Croatian Parliament. Croatian Science and Technology Minister Ivica Kostovic told reporters that the programme would envisage national priorities in science and research for a period of the next six years, a means of financing the research and a model for educating scientists. Kostovic described as crucial the application of the national strategy of technology development, especially technology centres and parks, as well as centres for the transfer of technology. Kostovic also said Matesa had announced finances for science would increase by a greater rate than finances for other public needs. (hina) lml jn 021632 MET jun 98