RETURN OF DISPLACED PERSONS POSSIBLE IN CONDITIONS OF ECONOMIC STABILITY - DROBNJAK

NEW YORK, July 20 (Hina) - Harmonised activities and adequate financial sources are important for the successful prevention of humanitarian disasters or the removal of their consequences, an assistant to Croatia's Foreign Minister, Vladimir Drobnjak, said in New York on Thursday. Drobnjak participated in a discussion on strengthening coordination in humanitarian challenges in the continuation of the annual session of the United Nations' Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). He stressed the link between development and humanitarian assistance both in preventing crises and their successful resolution. With regard to that issue, Drobnjak spoke about Croatia's experience in the return of displaced persons. Their more massive return is possible only in conditions of economic stability and sustainability in places of return, he said. "In the alternative, those same people will quickly become economic migrants in search of a better life elsewhere," he said. In case of displaced persons, the issue is not so much legal or political, as it often is with refugees; rather it is a question of overcoming economic obstacles to return, from reconstruction through to employment, Drobnjak said. He supported a stronger role of regional organisations in resolving humanitarian challenges, naming as an example the Stability Pact and a proposed regional centre for disaster management within the Pact, which should operate in Croatia. (hina) mm rml