ZAGREB, June 2 (Hina) - The United States will give additional five million dollars to Croatia, as the financial backing to the return of Croatian Serb refugees, the U.S. Embassy in Zagreb reported on Friday. "In addition to the $1
million announced in Banja Luka on March 9 by Secretary of State Madeleine Albright to assist the return of refugees to Croatia, the State Department announces an additional contribution totalling $5 million in support of the Government of Croatia's Stability Pact Initiative," read a statement released by the Embassy's public affairs section. On March 9 this year, Croatian Foreign Minister Tonino Picula and the Bosnian Serb entity's Premier, Milorad Dodik, in Banja Luka expressed their readiness to ensure the return of all Croatian Serb refugees and Croats who were forced to flee the Serb-controlled Bosnian areas. They said they were willing to help all refugees w
ZAGREB, June 2 (Hina) - The United States will give additional five
million dollars to Croatia, as the financial backing to the return
of Croatian Serb refugees, the U.S. Embassy in Zagreb reported on
Friday.
"In addition to the $1 million announced in Banja Luka on March 9 by
Secretary of State Madeleine Albright to assist the return of
refugees to Croatia, the State Department announces an additional
contribution totalling $5 million in support of the Government of
Croatia's Stability Pact Initiative," read a statement released by
the Embassy's public affairs section.
On March 9 this year, Croatian Foreign Minister Tonino Picula and
the Bosnian Serb entity's Premier, Milorad Dodik, in Banja Luka
expressed their readiness to ensure the return of all Croatian Serb
refugees and Croats who were forced to flee the Serb-controlled
Bosnian areas. They said they were willing to help all refugees who
would like to come back to their pre-war homes.
Albright, who took part in the Banja Luka talks, announced an
assistance of one million dollars for the reconstruction of a
hundred houses of Croatian Serbs so that they could leave the
Republic of Srpska for Croatia.
The March financial conference of the Stability Pact for South
Eastern Europe accepted Croatia's project for the return of 16,000
Serbs who had left Crotia during the war. It is necessary to ensure
$55.6 million for the implementaiton of this return project.
The $5 million contribution should assist the return and
reintegration of refugees who come back to Croatia or who return to
Bosnia-Herzegovina from Croatia. Means will also be used for the
humanitarian assistance, the reconstruction of houses and other
facilities as well as for incentives to small businesses.
This program will also help "finalise the reconstruction of the one
hundred houses for the return of Croatian citizens from the
Republika Srpska which was announced on March 9 (in Banja Luka) and
for which $1 million has been dedicated" read the statement.
(hina) jn ms