CROATIAN DISPLACED PERSONS SEEK ASSISTANCE FROM PRESIDENT MESIC

OSIJEK, March 22 (Hina) - A delegation of displaced persons from the Croatian Danube River region warned Croatian President Stipe Mesic that funds envisaged for reconstruction were very small, and the process of return would be ceased. A representative of the association of displaced persons and returnees to Croatia's eastern Osijek-Baranja County, Branko Pek, informed Hina Wednesday about Tuesday's talks with President Mesic. The budgetary funds are not sufficient for the completion of the unrealised plan of reconstruction for last year, Pek said. Unless the resources increase, we will be forced to stage a protest, he said. We informed Mesic about the repercussions of not applying the Law on Areas of Special Government Care in the Danubian region, which is aggravating the development of economy and small and middle business, Pek said. He added President Mesic had expressed support to requests of the displaced, stressing that the reconstruction of homes did not solve the problem if the economy was not being revitalised at the same time. According to Pek, Mesic had said he would influence the international community which should provide financial assistance to all in its programme of return, notwithstanding their nationality. (hina) lml jn