ZAGREB, March 17 (Hina) - Croatia and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) will cooperate closely in a project of the return of all those wishing to return to Croatia, as well as those who wish to return to
Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatian First Deputy Prime Minister Goran Granic said after talks with UN High Commissioner for Refugees Sadako Ogata, in Zagreb on Friday. We discussed problems in the refugee return, our plans and expectations, and we will closely cooperate in the project of the return of all those who wish to come back to Croatia and those who want to return to their homes in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Granic said. Also discussed at the meeting were some of the legal measures which prevented returns. "I would hope also to see that the various plans that the Government is now undertaking to realise returns, but also to realise very complicated burdens of rehabilitation of var
ZAGREB, March 17 (Hina) - Croatia and the United Nations High
Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) will cooperate closely in a
project of the return of all those wishing to return to Croatia, as
well as those who wish to return to Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatian
First Deputy Prime Minister Goran Granic said after talks with UN
High Commissioner for Refugees Sadako Ogata, in Zagreb on Friday.
We discussed problems in the refugee return, our plans and
expectations, and we will closely cooperate in the project of the
return of all those who wish to come back to Croatia and those who
want to return to their homes in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Granic said.
Also discussed at the meeting were some of the legal measures which
prevented returns. "I would hope also to see that the various plans
that the Government is now undertaking to realise returns, but also
to realise very complicated burdens of rehabilitation of various
regions, are also accelerated as well", the High Commissioner
stressed.
She added that problems were huge, particularly in the
implementation phase, however, she hoped that the energy and
determination of the Croatian people, demonstrated at the
elections, would also be reflected in this transition phase.
My office will do its very best to help this, Ogata said.
Asked about the possibility of the UNHCR providing financial
assistance for the expected increase of returns to Croatia, Ogata
said the UNHCR would investigate that possibility if it was the
specific precondition, however, she believed it was not the only
issue.
It is also about the return of Bosnian Croats to Bosnia-Herzegovina
and about the return of Croatian Serbs from Bosnia-Herzegovina and
Serbia, Ogata said, adding those were very complex problems which
surpassed the problem of accommodation and financial help.
In order to solve financial problems in reintegrating its community
and stimulate development, Croatia must turn to the international
community, European Union, and a much wider audience for help. The
UNHCR will support those requests as much as it can, Ogata said.
(hina) mm rml