AGREEMENTS SIGNED ON RECONSTRUCTION OF HOUSES ON OSIJEK COUNTY

( Editorial: --> 2781 ) ZAGREB, March 27 (Hina) - Croatian Reconstruction and Development Minister Jure Radic and representatives of 51 construction companies Friday signed agreements on the reconstruction of war- damaged houses in the eastern Croatian Osijek-Baranja County. The US$40 million-worth agreements envisage the reconstruction of 1,080 houses which suffered heavy damaged in the Serbian aggression on 14 County villages. The deadline for the completion of the reconstruction is September. Out of 307 construction companies who applied for Ministry tenders, 51 were chosen, of which 40 are from Osijek-Baranja County. Signing the agreements, Minister Radic said the renovation of houses would be a great contribution to the realisation of the return plan, according to which 40,000 people should return to their homes in the County. (hina) ha jn /mb 271350 MET mar 98