UN HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES HOLDS TALKS WITH CRO PRESIDENT

ZAGREB, March 17 (Hina) - After talks with Croatian President Stipe Mesic in Zagreb on Friday, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Sadako Ogata said she was very encouraged by the determination of the Croatian President to solve the issue of refugees and take back all those who fled to Serbia or Bosnia- Herzegovina. The President clearly expressed readiness to take back all those who fled to Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina, and to solve the problem of displaced persons within the country, said Ogata after her first meeting with the Croatian President. "We are aware of the fact that there are numerous problems of regarding housing, employment, and civilisational understanding", President Mesic said. Ogata, however, stressed that the determination of the Croatian President was very encouraging. She stressed that the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) would give its full support in order that the international community provides financial and other aid to such attempts of Croatia. Mesic said that Croatia, as a law-based state which desires to implement European standards, must ensure the return and guarantee safety to all of its citizens. Assessing that this is a complicated problem, he pointed to the fact that Croats were unable to return to Bosnia-Herzegovina, difficulties with employment and other problems. We all have to work on this, and Mrs Ogata pointed to the necessity of the of international help, Mesic said. (hina) it mm