RECONSTRUCTION MINISTRY DRAFTS A PROGRAM FOR DEVELOPMENT OF ISLAND

ISLAND $ S ZAGREB, 15 Oct (Hina) - Croatian President Franjo Tudjman on Tuesday received a delegation of the Council for Development of Islands, led by Reconstruction and Development Minister Jure Radic. #L# Radic told Tudjman that the Reconstruction and Development Ministry had drafted a National Program for Development of Islands, a statement from the President's office said. #L# Since 1910, the number of residents on Croatian islands had decreased by one third, Radic said, adding that the Ministry's program included measures aimed at preventing further emigration and securing the return of island population. The program was also aimed at creating conditions for the settlement of islands, Radic said, adding that the implementation of the program required the establishment of a quick shipping service and favourable conditions for economic investments. President Tudjman said that the problem of islands was not an easy one, but added that the problem of bigger islands could be solved in a relatively short period and that the demographic, economic and cultural picture of those islands could be improved. The establishment of the independent Croatian state created conditions for the return of Croatian emigrants. Many of those emigrants were born on Croatian islands and they became successful abroad. Conditions for their return had to and should be created, Tudjman said. (hina) rm mm 151648 MET oct 96