UN ALLOWS SERBS TO BUILD ROAD ACROSS NATURE RESERVE

ZAGREB, Dec 15 (Hina) - Croatian Reconstruction and Development Minister Jure Radic Monday wrote to UN Special Envoy Ya sushi Akashi protesting over UNPROFOR allowing rebel Serbs in UNPA East to build a road from Sarvas to Kopacevo which crosses the Kopacki Rit nature reserve in eastern Croatia. "Carrying out construction works on the internationally recognised territory of the Republic of Croatia without the approval of the Croatian Government contravenes all UN Security Council instruments upholding the integrity of the Republic of Croatia," the letter said. "The construction of roads across the Kopacki Rit reserve is an arbitrary act contrary to Croatian and international legislation." The Kopacki Rit nature park was under special protection and included an area of about 30,300 hectares, the letter said. The construction of roads, dykes, ditches and other hydro- engineering works will have an adverse environmental damaging the ecosystem and life forms in the reserve, the letter said. "I insist that UNPROFOR troops stop any further devastation of the nature reserve," the letter concluded. (hina) mm as sd 151354 MET dec 94