RACAN DEEMS BOSNIAN CROAT REFERENDUM AS WRONG MOVE

ZAGREB, Oct 31 (Hina) - Croatia will provide care for the Croat people in Bosnia-Herzegovina, but the announced referendum on the rights and position of Bosnian Croats is a wrong move, Croatian Prime Minister Ivica Racan said Tuesday during talks with representatives of Bosnian Croat religious and cultural communities. Racan announced the possibility for the funds Croatia had been giving to Bosnian Croats for military purposes to be redirected to the humanitarian needs of the Croat people in Bosnia-Herzegovina. #L# Racan and his first deputy Goran Granic on Tuesday received the head of the Catholic Church in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Cardinal Vinko Puljic, Franciscan head Mijo Dzolan, and president of the Croat cultural society "Napredak" Franjo Topic, the Government's Public Relations Office said in a statement. The talks focused on the problems of the return of refugees and displaced persons and the preservation of cultural and national heritage of Croats in Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Government said. Cardinal Puljic asserted the development of dialogue and respect of variety were exceptionally important for facilitating the solving of difficult problems in the country. Racan said the Government would take care of the Croat people in Bosnia-Herzegovina and protect its interests and well-being. He reiterated the Government's stance concerning the upcoming elections in Bosnia-Herzegovina and assessed the announced referendum was an incorrect step which could not benefit the Croat people in the current circumstances. Racan and Granic said a possibility was being discussed whereby funds allocated for financing the military component in Bosnia- Herzegovina would be reallocated exclusively for humanitarian, social and partially development needs of Bosnian Croats, the statement concluded. (hina) lml jn