CROATIA CALLS FOR INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE FOR RENEWAL

ZAGREB, Dec 4 (Hina) - Croatian deputy premiers Mate Granic and Jure Radic called on the international community for financial support to enable speedier reconstruction and return of refugees and displaced persons to Croatia. "International assistance would provide a necessary financial backing to our programmes of reconstruction and return of refugees, and it would also create and uphold a new momentum. We would also very much like to benefit from your expert advice in any conceivable way", said Minister Granic. Croatia's Foreign Minister was addressing some 300 international community representatives gathered in Zagreb for the Conference on Reconstruction and Development in Croatia. "If we are left alone in this pursuit however, the whole process will have to last longer, and some more sacrifices will have to be made. On the other hand, with your assistance, we think that the recovery will be achieved much faster and more effectively", Granic said adding that Croatia required financial and expert assistance. "The Republic of Croatia still bears a heavy psychological burden imposed by the war, on top of all those difficulties inherent to a country undergoing a post-communist transition. By ignoring these facts, while monitoring the developments in Croatia, the international community often tends to be too critical. Many positive developments may thus end up overlooked", Granic stressed. "Croatia remains open to all suggestions by the international community, but also expects understanding of its genuine and justified needs", he added. "This Conference can mark the beginning of a new stage in the cooperation between Croatia and the international community. It should mark the start of an invigorated dialogue, and it should also announce some serious investments", concluded the Croatian Foreign Minister. Granic hoped that a sequel to the conference could be held next spring or even a series of specialised meetings regarding specific investment projects. Croatian Reconstruction and Development Minister Jure Radic stated that damages caused by the war in Croatia have been estimated at more than US $50 billion. Housing recontruction, Radic said envisages US$2.5 billion which if planned for 5 years would mean 500 million dollars annually. This does not include funds required for demining nor for development projects in the economy and agriculture, he added. Radic hoped that the conference would be the beginning of closer cooperation between Croatia and the international community and other friendly countries, "by contributing an important part of the financial, material and personal resources required. Our goal is to find investment partners for the presented projects on pure economic basis, in the interest of both sides", he said. Radic explained that projects were categorised into six groups: housing reconstruction, agricultural project, demining exercise, reconstruction of public institutions and utility infrastructures. This is a significant project on a county and regional level for economic development. The reconstruction programme we wish to implement in the next 3 to 5 years, covers all war affected areas of Croatia and offers equal opportunities for all regardless of ethnic belonging, Radic said. "Let this Conference mark the beginning of contacts on the level that can be finalised in mutually satisfactory contracts" concluded Croatia's Reconstruction Minister. Following addresses by Croatian officials it is expected that the Conference will be addressed by international community representatives this afternoon. (hina) sp jn