FULL REPORT ON BUSH-FIRE DAMAGE TO BE RELEASED IN MID-SEPTEMBER

( Editorial: --> 6599 ) SPLIT, Aug 28 (Hina) - The State Commission for the assessment of damage caused by natural disasters will complete a report on this summer's bush-fire damage by mid-September, commission representatives said in Split on Friday. They talked to the press after viewing most of the burned areas in the southern region of Dalmatia. In some areas, the August bush-fires caused disastrous damage, especially on the island Korcula and the peninsula Peljesac, including two human victims, and huge damage to olive groves and forests in particular, said State Commission secretary and Assistant Finance Minister Ivan Novacic. On Peljesac most damage was caused to buildings, both houses and economy objects. On Korcula only 2,500-3,000 olive trees has remained healthy, while some 20,000 will have to be pulled out. Novacic said pilot-projects on the revival of olive-growing were being considered, to include foreign investors as well. He emphasised the vineyards had suffered less damage than previously thought. Novacic called on the counties to comply with their obligation of earmarking funds in annual budgets for the rehabilitation of natural disaster damage and to establish permanent damage- assessment commissions. (hina) ha 281512 MET aug 98