GOVT DISCUSSES FIRES AND LOCAL ELECTIONS IN DUBROVNIK COUNTY

( Editorial: --> 3283 ) ZAGREB, 12 Aug (Hina) - The Croatian Government on Wednesday discussed and adopted a report on fires in Croatia's coastal counties. A session chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Mate Granic also adopted a decision on calling elections for Dubrovnik County and the Brela municipality. Between 4 and 11 August, about 2,700 hectares of forest and underbrush were destroyed by fire, Interior Minister Ivan Penic said. Penic said he believed that the damage would have been more extensive had not a number of firefighters from inland Croatia been transferred to the coastal region in July. Penic further said that 1,548 firefighters participated in containing the fires. Planes for fighting fire had the most important role in putting out fires on inaccessible locations. The Government also discussed preventive measures and agreed on a meeting with the prefects of seven Croatian coastal counties. It was concluded that counties, towns and municipalities had to do much more in fire prevention. By the end of September, the Government expects a report from the Croatian Firefighters' Association (HVZ) and Interior Ministry on measures for 1999. The report will then be included in the parliamentary agenda. HVZ President Franjo Greguric announced preparations for a bill on permanent financing of volunteer fire brigades. Greguric expressed dissatisfaction with the preventive measures in Dubrovnik County, which suffered the most extensive damage. With a World Bank loan Croatia will soon buy another two Canadair planes, Interior Minister Penic said. Currently, Croatia has three such planes, he said adding the Government could not afford more planes. Therefore, next year Croatia plans to rent planes for fighting fire from other countries. The head of the Government Crisis Committee and assistant to the Interior Minister, Miljenko Bukovac, informed the session about the current situation on fire scenes on Korcula and Lastovo islands. It is expected that fires on these two islands will soon be put under control. The Government has for this purpose asked Italy for two planes and Stabilisation Force for two helicopters. The situation in other areas, where there were fires in the last several days, is under control, Bukovac said. The Government today also decided to call local elections for Dubrovnik County and the Brela municipality for 11 October. The Dubrovnik County Assembly was dissolved in June this year and the Government appointed its commissioner on 16 July. (hina) rml 121555 MET aug 98