ABOUT 16,000 DISPLACED PEOPLE RETURN TO EASTERN CROATIA

OSIJEK, Feb 3 (Hina) - A half of 33,786 registered displaced persons from Osijek-Baranja County have returned to the Croatian Danube river area so far. Croatia, as well as humanitarian organisations, are continuing to take care of all displaced people and returnees. During these winter months the return of displaced and dislocated people was going on well, said Nada Arbanas, the head of the regional office for displaced persons and refugees on Wednesday. A paper confirming the plan for the return is an official document of the Government's Office for the Displaced Persons and Refugees, and therefore it is important to respect the date until this paper is valid, since would-be returnees should come to the offices for the displaced persons in Osijek or Beli Manastir to regulate the change in their status, Mrs. Arbanas warned. All displaced persons from Osijek-Baranja County, who have found accommodation in other parts of Croatia and are now intending to come back should possess the confirmation on the plans for the return when they check out at other offices for the displaced people. They should report to the offices in Beli Manastir or Osijek within 15 days after the check-out in order to be able to enjoy the status of returnee and receive financial aid, Arbanas explained. (hina) jn ms