CROATIA WILL NOT BUILD NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS - MINISTER

ZAGREB, April 1 (Hina) - The Minister of Development and Reconstruction, Jure Radic, said on Monday that Croatia would not build nuclear power plants. During talks in Zagreb with the assistant general director of the European Union Department for Environment, Nuclear Security and Civil Defence, Tom Garvey, Radic stressed that Croatia would protect the environment in conformity with the standards of the European Union and other Western countries. Croatia would build energy systems and communications in line with environment protection standards, he added. Radic noted that Croatia was one of the ecologically best preserved European countries and that its sea was the cleanest in the Mediterranean. Garvey said that the PHARE programme would provide Croatia with assistance and advice by environmental experts. (hina) vm mm 011138 MET apr 96