Bishops: Do not Give Croatian Water to Foreigners!

The water control strategy in Croatia is badly made and not democratic, warned the Croatian Episcopal Conference’s commission.

ZAGREB, CROATIA – The Croatian  cabinet must introduce a new water control strategy, as not to allow the privatization of water and of the water supply system, is the appeal sent by the Croatian Episcopal Conference’s commission.

- Water is a gift from God and hast to remain clear and available to all citizens at affordable prices – said the president of the commission, Monsignor Vlado Kosic, presenting the document “Rights on and obligation towards the water and sea”.

The document reads that the strategy adopted by the government has no clear vision of the management of water, it is based on old data and it is full of conflicts of interests, as it was made with no participation of experts.

- We demand that a new, clear, European conceived and democratically prepared strategy to be laid down by experts and institutions, open to public and with the collaboration of users, civil organizations, economic facilities and neighbouring countries – Kosic stressed.

The commission asked the cabinet why an Institution for Water Management, as an independent organ of experts, has not been formed yet.

- The privatization of hydroelectric plants represents loophole to the privatization of the water supply system, and it is the same with the distribution of concessions for the water supply and water clearing system. This leads to an introduction of speculative capital by organized crime, which is more and more interested in the environmental business – said Kosic.

The Episcopal Conference proposed that Croatia establishes a social minimum limit of water consummation by number of family members which should either have a minimal expense, or should not be paid at all. In addition to this, they expressed discontent with the fact that Croatia gave the ZERP (Fishery Zone) up.

- Lately you hear ideas to start the Druzba Adria project again, and we strongly oppose to it. The Adriatic will be polluted and if the tankers with Siberian oil should pass through Omislje, then the Adriatic will be threatened of the extinction of its ecosystem. The Black Sea was ruined within only seven years in this way. The profit from the oil production would be mild compared to the risks Croatia would take – said Neven Simac, member of the commission.