DISPLACED IN ZAGREB HOTELS FACE ELECTRICITY SWITCH-OFF

ZAGREB, Dec 11 (Hina) - Displaced persons accommodated in Zagreb hotels are faced with the threat of having the water supply and heating turned off due to high debts to the Croatian Power Utility Company. The displaced, mainly from the eastern Croatian war-ravaged town of Vukovar, have already had their meals reduced. The problem lay in the high debts to hotels, as well as in the funds the government's Office for the displaced and the Defence Ministry earmark for the accommodation of the displaced, the president of the National Commission for housing issues of war victims, Petar Janjic, told reporters on Friday. A 125 kuna (US$20) per day amount was paid to hotels for the displaced under the care of the Defence Ministry, while 25 kuna (US$4) per day was paid for those under government care. Following a government decision, the amount was reduced to 25 kuna for all, which has resulted in huge losses faced by hotels. The debts and losses issue, as well as the threats of power and heating discontinuation, was to be discussed on Friday between the National Commission for housing issues of war victims and representatives of the Defence and Croatian Veterans Ministries, and the Hotel-Catering Company of Zagreb. Due to the failure of many to appear, only an informal meeting was held among representatives of the National Commission, the government's Office for Displaced Persons and Refugees, and the president of the Returnees Association, Mato Simic. They voiced their dissatisfaction with the position of returnees in Zagreb hotels. Simic and Janic announced a new meeting for next week. (hina) ha