OSCE CALLS ON CROATIAN GOVT TO IMPLEMENT PROPERTY RETURNS LAW

ZAGREB, Aug 1 (Hina) - On the occasion of the Law on Areas of Special State Concern coming in to force, regulating property returns, the OSCE on Thursday stressed the importance of ensuring that property be returned within the prescribed deadlines. #L# The OSCE welcomes the obligations contained in the law and believes that adhering to deadlines is of key importance for the successful completion of property returns before the end of 2002, the head of the OSCE mission to Croatia, Ambassador Peter Semneby said in a statement. The OSCE reminds that amendments and supplements to the Law on Areas of Special State Concern that came in to force on August 1, sets two deadlines for the Ministry of Public Works, Reconstruction and Construction to issue relevant decisions relating to property returns in line with the following: October 30, 2002, for property whose owners have already submitted applications and December 31, 2002 for all other occupied private property. The OSCE notes that if property is not returned within the set deadlines, the government is obliged to pay compensation to owners who have submitted applications for property returns. As of August 1, the state prosecutor is bound by the following deadlines: within 30 days against temporary occupants whose own home has been reconstructed, but are still in someone else's home, and 60 days against occupants who do not have any legal basis to use that property. In addition to these deadlines, local housing commissions will cease to exist as of August 31. On that day, the Ministry for Public Works and the state prosecution will take over responsibility relating to property returns. The OSCE Mission expects that this step will improve the implementation and equalising of property returns throughout Croatia, Ambassador Semneby estimated. (hina) lml