A BRIEF LOOK AT CROATIAN PRESS ON THURSDAY

ZAGREB, April 13 (Hina) - VECERNJI LIST today carries a front-page article headlined "Croatia Wins Confidence of International Bankers", on a decision by the International Monetary Fund to grant a USD 103 million loan to Croatia as well as on French loans and investments in Croatia. The Croatian economic program, with IMF support, achieved a substantial success: prices dropped by three percent, the private sector experienced growth, and budget surplus and the positive balance of payment were reported, according to the Vecernji List article. National Bank of Croatia governor Pero Jurkovic was quoted by today's VJESNIK as describing the continuation of cooperation with the IMF as "new big credit to our stabilization program." Following the dismissal of Russian UN peacekeeping commander General Perelyakin from his post in eastern Croatia, Vjesnik says: "The situation on the ground could improve only if Russians were transferred from eastern Slavonia and Baranja, which is something the UN should start contemplating." Vjesnik also includes a comment piece following an announcement that Croatia would demobilize 30,000 troops. (hina) mm vm 131332 MET apr 95