CRO RECONSTRUCTION MINISTER MEETS USAID OFFICIALS

ZAGREB, June 24 (Hina) - Possibilities of U.S. assistance in reconstruction of the destroyed houses and infrastructure was the main topic of Tuesday's talks between Croatian Reconstruction and Development Minister Jure Radic and USAID (U.S. Agency for International Development) officials Charles Aanenson, Skip Kissinger and Tom Yates. According to a statement released by the reconstruction ministry, Radic told them that about 100,000 Croatian displaced persons were awaiting the return to home to and renovation of their homes. If foreign countries offered help in the reconstruction, all displaced people would come back to their houses by the end of 1998. However, the Croatian Government and this ministry will continue reconstruction as they have done so far, regardless of foreign aid, and the reconstruction will be carried out according to priorities defined by the law on this issue, according to the statement. Minister Radic pointed out that concrete help was needed in the reconstruction of economy in war-stricken Croatian areas. USAID officials offered help in the form of favourable credits and technical assistance. The American agency will soon send its experts to Croatia so that they and Croatian government officials can determine concrete forms of cooperation. (hina) jn mš 241452 MET jun 97