CRO GOVT ADOPTS REPORT ON "TOMISLAVGRAD" TANKER EXPLOSION

( Vidi vijest: 5214 ) ZAGREB, 23 Oct (Hina) - The Croatian government on Thursday adopted a report by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Transport and Communications on an accident of the tanker 'Tomislavgrad', which exploded in the central Adriatic port of Solin on 8 October. The ship's first mate was killed while another crew member was wounded in the explosion. Administration Minister Davorin Mlakar said the date of local elections in local administration and self-government units where elections have to be repeated, would be announced at the next session. The Minister of Maritime Affairs, Zeljko Luzavec, said that 'Tomislavgrad' had not met technical requirements for the transport of oil and petrol. The head of the Rijeka port administration should not have allowed the ship to leave port with such cargo, he said, adding an investigation into the incident revealed that lids separating cargo containers from other parts of the ship should not have been opened, since it were the open lids that caused oil evaporation and the explosion. The head and the inspector of the Rijeka port were already suspended. Luzavec announced the suspension of the person in the Croatian Register of Ships responsible for the accident. The register of the captain of 'Tomislavgrad' was stripped away from him, Luzavec added. Interior Minister Ivan Penic said the police were looking for the ship's owner, Cedo Blaskovic, in relation to a report that Blaskovic had threatened investigating inspectors. A warrant has been issued for his arrest, Penic added. Members of the Government in particular welcomed the order of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Transport and Communications, on banning ships carrying cargo over 500 tons or ships carrying hazardous cargo to navigate the most delicate parts of the territorial waters. The Government adopted a decision announcing an agreement between the Croatian and Yugoslav governments on international road traffic. (hina) rm ha jn 231750 MET oct 97