RECONSTRUCTION OF 110-YEAR-OLD ITALIAN SCHOOL IN RIJEKA BEGINS

RIJEKA, June 5 (Hina) - The reconstruction of the foundations of the 110-year-old building of the Italian elementary and high school in Rijeka, northern Adriatic, began on Thursday, the school's headmistress, Ingrid Sever, told reporters. The building of Rijeka's Italian school, which is attended by more than 500 pupils, is protected as a cultural monument. The Italian Government ensured 700 million lire for the reconstruction of the school building's foundations, and an additional billion for the reconstruction of the building's mezzanine, Sever said. Another billion lire was necessary for the building's complete reconstruction, the headmistress added and thanked the Croatian Government on supporting the reconstruction. (hina) ha mm 051749 MET jun 97