GOVT PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICE REACTS TO RETURNEES' PROTEST LETTER

ZAGREB, Jan 12 (Hina) - The policy towards areas of special government care (Croatian areas devastated during the early 1990's defence war) and returnees is one of the government's priorities, the Croatian Government's Office for Public and Media Relations reacted Friday to yesterday's letter forwarded to vice-premier Zeljka Antunovic by the Croatian Association of Returnees. This is why the government has founded a Coordination for Areas of Special Government Care with First Deputy Prime Minister Goran Granic at the helm, the Office continues. The association on Thursday sent a letter to Antunovic, discontented that electricity has been turned off to returnees, Croats returning to their pre-war homes, who are unable to pay the electricity bills. The letter pointed to the fact that most benefits envisaged by a law on areas of special government concern are not being enforced in the Danube River Region in the east, and that the returnees are in a difficult position. Through this Coordination, the government is exerting efforts in the solving of the many issues concerning return and reconstruction, the Government Office said in a statement. The Coordination is carrying out intense and continuous dialogue with the Croatian Association of Returnees on all important issues with which the returnees are faced. It is through the work of the Coordination that the government is seeking for the best solutions for the protection of returnees and the functioning of the overall system, the Government Office concluded. (hina) lml