PRESIDENT TUDJMAN RECEIVES SPLIT CITY AND COUNTY OFFICIALS

ZAGREB, April 4 (Hina) - Croatian President Franjo Tudjman today received in the Presidential Palace a delegation of Split city and county authorities, a Presidential Office statement said. The delegation included County Prefect Kruno Peronja, Mayor Nikola Grabic, City Council chairman Mirko Karoglan, Archbishop of Split Msgr Ante Juric and academician Kruno Prijatelj. Also present were Presidential Home Policy Adviser Ivic Pasalic, Cultural Adviser Zeljka Corak and the head of the President's Cabinet, Gordan Radin. The delegation presented the project "Split 1700", a series of events and actions Split residents would organize to mark the 17 centuries of the life and uninterrupted urban development of their city. The program of measures, lauched by the city auhtorities, includes the intensive reconstruction and renovation in the next ten years of Split's urban nucleus. It proposes the renovation of the wider area of the city, particularly the systematic renovation of the Marjan peninsula and city parks. The program also envisages the religious renewal of parish communities as well as the reconstruction and construction of church buildings, which was discussed by Msgr Juric. It includes a series of scientific, publishing, sporting, art, entertainment, folk and other cultural events, the statement said. Split residents want to see the economy and tourism in their city flourish in the next decade and in this regard the city and county authorities will take a series of measures. The County Prefect and the Mayor asked the President to additionally encourage and accelerate the completion of works on the city's ring road. Mayor Grabic told the President that a project aimed at cleaning Split harbour would be completed next year, and promised that he would take a swim in the harbour, the statement said. The President added that the process of the peaceful reintegration of occupied Croatian areas would continue, and the day before that, he would travel with his associates by train from Zagreb to Split via Knin, the statement said. The President agreed to be the first member of "Club 1700" the purpose od which is to gather as many members as possible to help in the renovation of Split with their financial contributions. The President also accepted the patronage of the celebration of the 1700th anniversary of Split. The delegation informed the President of turist supply, emphasizing the optimism and satisfaction of hotel owners, the statement concluded. (hina) 041758 MET apr 95