CRO LOWER HOUSE DISCUSSES CONFIRMATION OF AGREEMENTS ON FOREIGN DE

DE $ BT REPROGRAMMING ZAGREB, June 19 (Hina) - The Croatian parliament's House of Representatives on Wednesday concluded a discussion on five bills which propose the confirmation of bilateral agreements between the Croatian government and Paris Club member-countries on the reprogramming of Croatia's foreign debt. Also concluded was a discussion on two bills on the confirmation of agreements on loans by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), particularly the loan for projects of technical help and financial market development. Croatian Finance Minister Bozo Prka said that the Bill on the Confirmation of an Agreement on a Loan for a Technical Help Project between the Republic of Croatia and IBRD referred to a $5 million loan, whereas the Bill on the Confirmation of an Agreement on a Loan for a Financial Market Development Project referred to a $9,5 million loan. Prka also said that Croatia and IBRD had already signed agreements on loans for roads reconstruction, purchase of medical equipment, infrastructure building and other reconstruction projects, adding that all these agreements should be repaid in 17 years, with a grace period of four or five years. Prka also added that new loans, for bank rehabilitation, pension and health system restructuring and others, were being prepared. Several ruling party and opposition representatives warned that Croatia's debts were so high that making new ones should be approached with caution. Prka concluded by saying that all loans had been used for the building of nationally important objects and that the Croatian government would not incur debts to cover current consumption. (hina) ha jn 191610 MET jun 96