PARLIAMENT DECLARES MARCH 11-17 CROATIAN LANGUAGE WEEK

ZAGREB, Feb 28 (Hina) - The Croatian Parliament's House of Representatives on Friday declared a memorial week in March to mark the 30th anniversary of the Declaration on the Name and Status of the Standard Croatian Language. Croatian Language Days, to be held from 11 to 17 March as of this year, will include lectures, literary competitions and various cultural events. The Language Declaration was published in the Telegram culture weekly on 17 March 1997. The House ratified the agreement on investment in local infrastructure and environmental protection between Croatia and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The agreement includes a DM 105 million loan for reconstruction and modernization of water supply and sewage systems in five towns on the Adriatic Coast. Deputies approved a draft national programme of the development of Croatian Adriatic islands, and supported a proposal for construction of a marina in the central Adriatic town of Novigrad. Deputies also backed several bills in the first reading, including amendments to the law regulating the jurisdiction and seats of courts and the law on the areas of special interest to the state, and two bills on state incentives for housing savings. Draft amendments to the Telecommunications Act, proposed by the Social Democratic Party, were rejected. (hina) vm mm 281832 MET feb 97