KRSKO NUCLEAR POWER PLANT DIRECTOR HOPES FOR AGREEMENT WITH CROATIA

CROATIA ( Editorial: --> 5260 ) LJUBLJANA, July 2 (Hina) - Stane Rozman, director of the Krsko nuclear power plant, on Thursday expressed hope for a positive solution regarding an agreement between Slovenia and Croatia on investments into the modernisation of the plant. Speaking at a press conference in Krsko, Slovenia, Rozman said the two sides could adopt a decision on modernising the plant and taking loans needed for this purpose at a meeting of the managing board, to be held next week. However, in case this does not happen, the plant would ask the Slovenian government to allow it to take a loan independently because of the approaching modernisation deadlines. The status of and other questions concerning the plant remain open, Rozman said adding there was a possibility for the plant to sue the Croatian Power Supply Co. because of a debt amounting to 10 billion Slovenian tolar. The plant, jointly operated by Croatia and Slovenia, is located about 25 km from the Croatian-Slovene border. (hina) rml /mbr 021910 MET jul 98