CRO RAILWAYS, USAID SIGN MEMO ON UNDERSTANDING FOR RECONSTRUCTION OF RAILROADS IN SLAVONIA

OF RAILROADS IN SLAVONIA ZAGREB, June 3 (Hina) - Croatian Railways and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) on Tuesday signed the Memorandum on Understanding for the Project of Reconstruction of Railroads in Slavonia. The Memorandum envisages the reconstruction of a railroad from Croatia's border with Bosnia-Herzegovina, across Gunja, to Vinkovci, eastern Croatia, the reparation of 51 kilometres of railroad and the reconstruction of a railroad bridge over the Bosut river. The Memorandum was signed by the Croatian Railways General Manager, Marijan Klaric, USAID representative Charles Aanenson and Brigadier General Michel de Colnet on behalf of NATO's Stabilization Force. According to Aanenson, out of the USD 650,000 the U.S. Government provided, USD 400,000 were intended for the reconstruction of the railroad bridge across Bosut, while the remaining USD 250,000 were necessary for the purchase of sleepers and other building material needed for the reconstruction of the Gunja-Osijek railroad. The mentioned means were part of USAID's big project for assisting Croatia in the reintegration of the Croatian Danube region and in preparations for the return of all Croatian citizens to their homes, Aanenson said. U.S. Ambassador Peter Galbraith, who was present at today's signing of the Memorandum, said that the opening of that railroad contributed to the implementation of the Dayton Accord. He also hoped that the route would serve to transport coal and bauxite from BH to Croatia and other world markets. On behalf of NATO and the Stabilization Force, General de Colnet pointed out that what would follow was the connection of the south Croatian port of Ploce with Hungary, via BH. This would be a sign that peace in this region was stable, he added. The whole job should be completed by September, Croatian Railways' Klaric said, recalling good cooperation with BH Railways to date, as demonstrated by permanent rail-traffic from Ploce via Mostar to Hadzici near the BH capital of Sarajevo. Klaric in particular mentioned the significance of connecting Brcko with other routes and railroads in Croatia, that is with corridor ten, which connects Europe and the Near East. Speaking about the reconstruction of Croatia's railroads which suffered great war damage, Klaric announced the opening of the Osijek-Beli Manastir railroad in the UN administered area on 1 July. (hina) ha jn 031354 MET jun 97