CROATIAN GOVERNMENT DISCUSSES FIRE PREVENTION MEASURES

ZAGREB, July 3 (Hina) - The Croatian government at Thursday's session adopted a Bill on ratifying an agreement between the Croatian and German governments on receiving returnees, and a Protocol on the implementation of the agreement. Foreign Minister Mate Granic recalled that the agreement had been signed on 25 April 1995, that it had been practically implemented, because out of the 40,000 to 50,000 Croatian refugees that had initially been accommodated in Germany, only 3,000 to 4,000 remain. Most part of the session was spent in discussing the information on fires and measures for their prevention. Interior Minister Ivan Penic informed members of the government about the measures taken to date in the prevention of outbreak of fires. There were 3805 fires so far this year, which is about 50 more than in the same period next year, and the total damage was 246 million kuna. A large part of the fires were caused due to the lack of care and caution. In the last ten days of June, 53 fires broke out, and 1,494 hectares had been caught in fire. The government reached a decision, committing local authorities on the coastal areas, as well as state government bodies to organise and take sufficient measures of prevention against fires. (hina) lm jn 031459 MET jul 97