ARTICLE 11 COMMISSION GETS REALISTIC PICTURE OF PROBLEMS OF RETURN

ZAGREB, Jan 28 (Hina) - Members of the Article 11 Commission, in charge of supervising the implementation of an agreement on the peaceful reintegration of the Croatian Danube river region, received a clear and realistic picture of the obstacles to returns between Croatia and the Bosnian Serb entity of Republika Srpska, the Commission said in a statement following a series of meetings held in Slavonski Brod on Thursday. "The Article 11 Commission travelled to Slavonski Brod today for a series of meetings that focused on the issue of two-way returns between Croatia and the Republika Srpska in Bosnia-Herzegovina," the statement said. Commission members were informed about the problems in return by the Croatian Government's Office for refugees and Displaced persons, the Republika Srpska Minister for refugees, the Croatian Ministry for Foreign affairs, the Mayor of Slavonski Brod and representatives of refugees and associations from Bosnia- Herzegovina and Croatia. The Article 11 Commission has pledged to take into consideration their concerns and recommendations, as well as to continue their promotion of returns and reconciliation. Thanks to open dialogue, the Commission members have obtained insight into which steps need to be taken to facilitate the two-way return. "These steps include an increased and sustained level of dialogue and cooperation between Croatian Government and Republika Srpska officials, as well as between refugee associations in both countries (...) and continued cooperation within the international community in Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina to direct reconstruction assistance to areas in which Bosnian Croat and Croatian Serb returns are possible and realised," the statement said. The Commission said it was very encouraged by the strong desire expressed by all groups to return to their original homes. (hina) lml mm