A BRIEF LOOK AT CROATIAN PRESS ON FRIDAY

ZAGREB, Sept 1 (Hina) - "Bakar Charcoal Plant to Close" screams a front-page headline in today's issue of the Zagreb daily VJESNIK. The Government yesterday decided that the Bakar plant, along with several other high-pollution industries along the Adriatic coast, is to be shut down in the next two years. The Bakar plant will be closed in November. VJESNIK also carries a list of traffic restrictions to be observed during the Pope's visit to Croatia. The paper covers UNPROFOR's press conference on the situation at Turanj checkpoint, where 9,000 western-Bosnian refugees are camping on the road. In coverage of the Prime Minister's appearance on TV last night, VJESNIK echoes Valentic's announcement of a minor Government reshuffle, due in about a week. Asked if he was going to resign, Valentic said he did not intend to during the crucial three to six months long second stage of the stabilisation scheme. Valentic added that the Government would not be printing money and would not be pressured by strikes or any other means to increase salaries. As for the UNPROFOR mandate, Valentic said any attempt to retrieve the occupied territories by force would bring international sanctions against Croatia. In an article headlined "Ministries to Lose their Accounts," the other Zagreb daily, VECERNJI LIST, says that the Government's introduction of a centralised Treasury would promote stricter control of public expenditure. A commentary by Branko Vrbosic speculates on the likelihood of Glavas resigning from the office of Osijek County Prefect now that he has resigned from the presidency of the local HDZ committee. An article headlined "Why Is the Education Minister Silent," discusses a possible strike by secondary-school teachers next week. (hina) jn as sd 021318 MET sep 94