OSCE WELCOMES PM'S CALL FOR REFUGEE RETURN

ZAGREB, June 12 (Hina) - The head of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe's (OSCE) Mission to Croatia hailed on Thursday a public statement of the Croatian Prime Minister calling on all refugees to return to Croatia, the OSCE said in a statement. "A firm commitment from Croatia's political leaders is important to give refugees the reassurance they need to make the big decision to return home," Ambassador Peter Semneby said. "Refugee return should become a strategic objective for the entire political establishment in Croatia," Semneby said. Racan's invitation followed a decision adopted today by the government to provide housing care for returnees and refugees who are former holders of tenancy rights in the mainly urban areas which remained under Croatian control during the 1991-1995 armed conflict, said the statement. The programme addressed practical concerns related to tenancy rights but leaves the legal issues related to tenancy right termination open, said the statement. "This programme now needs to be carried out in a transparent, efficient and user friendly manner. It should be comprehensive to include not only those with refugee status but also those who may have remained in Croatia during the conflict," the ambassador said. According to him, the OSCE recommends that the programme for housing care currently in force in the areas of special state concern be revised to grant higher priority to former tenancy right holders. (hina) it sb