CRO GOVT MAKING MODERATE PROGRESS IN FULFILLING OBLIGATIONS - OSCE

ZAGREB, Nov 15 (Hina) - The Mission of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) said Thursday the Croatian government had achieved moderate and disproportional progress in some areas. Citing the main elements of the most recent, the seventh in a row, Mission's report on the Croatian government's progress in its fulfilment of international obligations, Mission chief Bernard Poncet said the government's efforts to spur the return of refugees and build confidence must be increased. He stressed the OSCE was aware that Croatia was faced with many problems in the economic and social plans, which require immediate solution. We understand that the solving of these problems was a priority for this government, Poncet added. The OSCE Mission report has been directed to three important issues: the return process, particularly the system of the restitution of property, unbiased prosecution of war crimes and legislative reforms. As regards the restitution of property, the Mission assessed that progress had been achieved, but was slow. Poncet said the biggest obstacle to the issue was the non-reform of the law on restoring property, and a lack of funds for reconstruction. He underlined the illegal or multiple usage of other people's homes as a special problem. (hina) lml jn