ZAGREB, March 14 (Hina) - Development projects, which will normalise the life of communities in places of return, are the key to a successful return of Croatian Serb refugees, UNHCR spokesman Andrej Mahecic told Hina on Tuesday. At a
Stability Pact round table on democratisation and human rights held in Budapest in February, Croatia suggested that the Pact finance a US$55.6-million-worth project of return of 16,500 Croatian Serb refugees. Judging by the reactions of international representatives, it is almost certain the project will find its financiers at a donors' conference to be held on March 29/30 in Brussels. "The number of people who will benefit from this project exceeds the figure of 16,500, because it will facilitate life to entire communities through the reconstruction of infrastructure, schools, and economy," Mahecic said. One of the most difficult refugee problems in the places of return
ZAGREB, March 14 (Hina) - Development projects, which will
normalise the life of communities in places of return, are the key
to a successful return of Croatian Serb refugees, UNHCR spokesman
Andrej Mahecic told Hina on Tuesday.
At a Stability Pact round table on democratisation and human rights
held in Budapest in February, Croatia suggested that the Pact
finance a US$55.6-million-worth project of return of 16,500
Croatian Serb refugees.
Judging by the reactions of international representatives, it is
almost certain the project will find its financiers at a donors'
conference to be held on March 29/30 in Brussels.
"The number of people who will benefit from this project exceeds the
figure of 16,500, because it will facilitate life to entire
communities through the reconstruction of infrastructure,
schools, and economy," Mahecic said.
One of the most difficult refugee problems in the places of return
is unemployment, which is caused by the ravaged agriculture and
economy, Mahecic said, emphasising the importance of economic
revival for a sustainable refugee return.
"Development is necessary for the return to be sustainable," he
added.
The purpose of the Brussels round table is to develop projects which
will stimulate economic development thus making the return
sustainable and creating normal living conditions for Croat
returnees, Serb refugees, and Bosnian Croats wishing to stay in
Croatia.
"International donors are well-intentioned toward Croatia and
there are announcements that Croatia will be granted financial
support," the UNHCR spokesman said.
Croatia has promised that it will accept all of its exiled citizens
regardless of international financial assistance, Mahecic said,
reminding the latest project within the Stability Pact did not mean
that the Croatian Government refugee return programme of 1998 was
no longer valid.
"The project of return within the Stability Pact must not be seen as
a substitute for the Government Programme of Return," he added.
(hina) mm rml