CROATIA SURPRISED BY SLOVENIA'S STATEMENT ON KRSKO NUCLEAR PLANT

ZAGREB, June 27 (Hina) - The Croatian Economy Ministry issued a statement on Friday in response to a statement earlier this week by the Slovenian Economy Minister on the Krsko nuclear power plant. "The statement by Slovene Economy Minister Metod Dragonja, that Slovenia and the Slovene Government are willing to assume possible risks of independent decision-making on the Krsko nuclear power plant (NEK) while negotiations are still in progress, is surprising and does not contribute to the atmosphere in which the negotiations are taking place," the statement said. The Krsko nuclear power station, situated on the territory of Slovenia, is jointly owned by Croatia and Slovenia. After gaining independence, the two countries began negotiations on an agreement on the power station. "The Croatian Government and the Ministry of Economy, taking into account the nature and seriousness of the problem, will calmly continue negotiations. After a telephone conversation with Minister Dragonja, Minister Nenad Porges expressed confidence and hope that in the next two or three days the Slovene side will take a final and positive stand on the starting points for a solution proposed by the Croatian side on June 16, 1997 as well as on the proposed rules on the work of the Managing Board," the statement said. The statement stressed that Croatia would continue to insist on decision-making by consensus and on ownership parity as basic principles. Porges expressed confidence that negotiations on those principles would very soon result in the establishment of a temporary managing board and adoption of a 1997 business plan. "All of this is a necessary basis for final talks on a bilateral agreement on the NEK, for which the Republic of Croatia is ready. Of course, if there is a lack of will to find a solution, the Republic of Croatia is more than willing to seek international arbitration," the statement concluded. (hina) vm jn 271927 MET jun 97