TRANSMISSION LINE RECONNECTED DUE TO SECURITY REASONS - BEGOVIC

( Editorial: --> 1600 ) ZAGREB, Aug 4 (Hina) - Monday's reconnection of one of two 400kV transmission lines from the Krsko nuclear power plant to Croatia by Slovenia's electricity distributor was made primarily because of security reasons, head of the Croatian Power Supply (HEP) Damir Begovic said last night. Commenting on the Slovene move in last night's news broadcast 'Motrista', Begovic said it was evident that "the transmission lines have no sufficient capacity to safely 'evacuate' electric power from Krsko". Since a failure occurred on a 400kV transmission line between Melina and Divaca, the Slovene side estimated that to let the plant operate under these circumstances would be very dangerous, especially for the plant itself, Begovic said. This is why the transmission line was reconnected to Croatia, Begovic said adding Croatia was still not using power from the plant. At the present, Croatia does not need power supply from Krsko, Begovic said. Commenting on the Slovene Government decision of 30 July, Begovic said it was obvious that the Slovene side was trying to confiscate all of Croatia's property in the Krsko power plant. "The Slovene Government has adopted a decision which makes it the founder of the power plant and allows it to elect the president of the managing board and set the price of electric power, which is totally unacceptable for Croatia. Until we clear these views with the Slovene Government, there is no need or reason for us to take over electric power from the plant," Begovic said. He described as presumptuous a statement by the Slovene Economy Minister Metod Dragonja who said that an agreement on the price of and forms of payment for power supply would be reached as early as this week. Begovic also dismissed Slovenia's claim saying Croatia was intentionally increasing its debt to Krsko so that it could reach the value of its property share in the power plant and allow Croatia to avoid the costs of reconstruction. Croatia's ownership share in the Krsko plant amounts to one billion and 200 million German marks, Begovic added. (hina) rml 041130 MET aug 98