GOVT PRESENTS PROJECT FOR EMPLOYMENT OF DEMOBBED SOLIDERS

ZAGREB, May 10 (Hina) - The Croatain Parliament today heard a Government report on care for Croatian defenders and victims of war in 1995. The Government also presented a project for stimulating the employment of demobbed soldiers in 1996. The project was presented by Deputy Prime Minister Ljerka Mintas-Hodak. Over 300,000 Croatian citizens, of average age of 25, have actively participated in the defence effort. 100,000 defenders have been demobbed since the summer of 1995, nearly half of whom (45,000) are unemployed, according to Mintas-Hodak. Aware of the seriousness of this problem, the Government decided, at President Tudjman's suggestion, to implement a series of measures for stimulating the employment of demobbed soldiers. About 300 million kuna (DM 82 million) have been earmarked for the employment of demobbed soldiers in this year's budget. Part of the funds appropriated for the development of agriculture, the reconstruction of the business sector and the development of entrepreneurship could also be used for job creation, Mintas-Hodak said. The Government was also planning to donate agricultural lands to defenders, to organise training courses and to found a Government Office for Care of Defenders and Victims of War. Mintas-Hodak announced that the Government would soon table a bill that would solve the defenders' housing problems. (hina) jn as 101524 MET may 96