CROATIAN PUBLIC WORKS MINISTER TALKS WITH OGATA

ZAGREB, March 17 (Hina) - Croatia's Public Works, Reconstruction and Construction Minister, Radimir Cacic, on Friday held talks with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Sadako Ogata, on problems in the reconstruction of war-hit Croatian areas and the return of refugees and displaced persons. Croatian Minister informed Ogata of the current situation and of limited possibilities of the Croatian budget for the resolution of the problems in the reconstruction and the return, read a statement released by the Public Works Ministry. According to the statement, Cacic voiced the full and unquestionable commitment of the new Croatian Government to equally treat all citizens of the Republic of Croatia. Ogata cautioned that much was expected from new Croatian authorities concerning the return of refugees and displaced persons, the statement read. She said she could understand that Croatia was now facing a difficult economic situation. The UN official, however, expressed hope that despite objective difficulties in 2000, the Croatian Government would manage to ensure that the level of the return is at least maintained as it was in 1999. For this purpose the UNHCR will help the Croatian Government not only to get international donations but also to be granted favourable credit lines for the reconstruction and return. (hina) jn ms