ZAGREB, 17 July (Hina) - Croatia's prefects held a session in Zagreb on Thursday. Opening the session, Premier Zlatko Matesa said that the reconstruction of the Croatian Danube river region and return of refugees were Croatia's most
important tasks.
ZAGREB, 17 July (Hina) - Croatia's prefects held a session in Zagreb on
Thursday. Opening the session, Premier Zlatko Matesa said that the
reconstruction of the Croatian Danube river region and return of
refugees were Croatia's most important tasks. #L#
Matesa recalled that the state leadership had proposed that each
county should finance the reconstruction of one facility in Vukovar, in
accordance with its financial situation.
According to the proposal, which will be sent to all counties in
around ten days, 21 Croatian counties will participate in the
reconstruction of Vukovar with a total of 112 million kunas, with
contributions ranging from 2 to 15 million kunas.
Reconstruction and Development Minister Jure Radic, who also
attended the meeting, said that the return of 80,000 displaced persons
to the Danube river region had begun. He also said that the Serb
refugees from the areas liberated in the operations 'Flash' and 'Storm'
were also returning to their homes. Croatia's goal was to restore the
1991 demographic structure in the Danube river region, Radic said,
adding Croatia had the support of the international community in that
process.
Most prefects stressed the problem of unorganised return of Serb
refugees. Despite the fact that their return had been regulated by an
agreement, most of them were returning without the knowledge of
authorised institutions, they said, adding that more effective actions
should be taken in connection with that problem.
The prefects also discussed the problem of reconstruction of war-
destroyed economy.
The Government planned to set aside some six billion kunas in 1997
and 1998 for the reconstruction of economy, Radic said, adding that
public companies would reconstruct economic facilities and
infrastructure.
The meeting also discussed the program of voucher privatisation.
Assistant Privatisation Minister Damir Ostovic said that cooperation
with all counties was good. He added that 75,000 victims of war, who are
entitled to free coupons, have registered so far.
(hina) rm
171732 MET jul 97