CROATIAN EMIGRE HELPS REVITALISE HIS ISLAND BIRTHPLACE

( Editorial: --> 1266 ) ZLARIN, Aug 2 (Hina) - Reconstruction and Development Minister Jure Radic and leading Croatian emigre and Maglita foundation president Anthony Maglica on Saturday signed a cooperation agreement for the revitalisation of the central Adriatic island of Zlarin. The agreement outlines cooperation in the building and operation of a waste incinerator, a wharf and roads on the island, in which the Croatian Reconstruction and Development Ministry will invest more than US$312,000. Accompanying Radic to Zlarin was Deputy Immigration Minister Josip Juras and Islands Centre director Goran Pavlov. They visited the road construction sites on the island and inspected the finishing works on the incinerator plant, which Maglica donated to his birthplace. The agreement also covers the realisation of Maglica's new projects on Zlarin. Maglica intends to build a hotel and refurbish workshops for processing and re-shaping coral and sponge. This would create new jobs and rescue Zlarin's traditional craft activities from dying out, and helping fast track the revitalisation of the island. (Hina) mbr jn 021915 MET aug 98