GOVERNMENT ADOPTS NATIONAL PROGRAMME FOR DEVELOPMENT OF ISLANDS

LASTOVO, Sept 12 (Hina) - The Croatian government held a session on the southern Adriatic island of Lastovo on Thursday and adopted a national programme for the development of islands. The government also decided to raise pensions by 5.6 per cent as of September 1. In October, pensioners will receive a 100 kuna bonus along with September pensions. The aim of the program is to encourage the demographic renewal and economic development of the islands and preserve their natural values. Croatia has a total of 1,185 islands and reefs which enjoy special protection under the Constitution. The programme envisages state investment in the construction and reconstruction of island infrastructure and the development of the health care and school systems. The government also passed a decision on the compulsory registration of tarrifs and prices of products and services following announcements by some public companies that they would increase prices of products and services. Prime Minister Zlatko Matesa said that the government would not allow public companies "to call into question the government's macroeconomic policy." (hina) vm jn 121735 MET sep 96