AIRPORT NEAR OSIJEK RETURNED TO CROATIAN AUTHORITIES

( Editorial: --> 6928 ) KLISA, July 10 (Hina) - Klisa airport near Osijek was returned to the control of Croatian civil authorities on Friday. UN peace forces had been accommodated at the airport since 1992. An agreement on the take-over of the airport was signed by the president of the Osijek airport management, Ivan Vdovjak and authorised UN representative Amanu Dess on Friday. The UN flag at the airport was replaced by the Croatian state flag. Attending the ceremony at Klisa airport were representatives of the Ministry of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communications, Osijek County and the county police department which took over the task of securing the airport. Vdovjak said that the airport building itself was not damaged but after its occupation by the former Yugoslav People's Army (JNA) and Serb paramilitaries, airport and navigation equipment was stolen and the building's interior was damaged. According to preliminary assessments, the reconstruction of the airport should cost DM eight million. The airport will not be used immediately for air traffic but be part of Osijek's free trade zone. Air traffic in the area will continue via the sports-business airport Osijek-Cepin which meets all the civil air transport needs of the region, Vdovjak said. He thanked UN representatives for having prevented more extensive destruction of the airport. (hina) jn rml /mbr 101721 MET jul 98