INTERIOR MINISTRY TAKES OVER FIRST POLICE SHIP BUILT IN CRO SHIPYARD

( Editorial: --> 9829 ) VELA LUKA, July 25 (Hina) - The Croatian Ministry of Interior Affairs on Saturday took over in Korcula, southern Croatia, the first police vessel built in a Croatian shipyard. The 14.34m-long patrol boat is intended for watching the state border and Croatia's territorial sea-waters. The boat will be named Ucka and will be used by the police of Istra County, northern Adriatic. Ucka is the first in a programme of 26 ships which the Korcula shipyard will deliver to the Interior Ministry by year 2002, in accordance with a contract worth US$28 million. "This programme represents the lasting guarantee of the stability of Greben Company and the island of Korcula as a whole", Croatian Premier Zlatko Matesa said while taking over the ship. He announced an airport would be built on the southern Adriatic island this autumn. Interior Minister Ivan Penic, who was also present, pointed out to the importance the programme has in increasing employment on Korcula and to the need of renewing the police fleet, which currently has 56 vessels 14 years old in average. (hina) ha as 251540 MET jul 98