RETURNEES' ASSOCIATION REPS MEET PARLIAMENT VICE PRESIDENT

ZAGREB, Apr 1 (Hina) - Representatives of the Association of Returnees of Croatia (ZPH) on Thursday visited the Croatian National Parliament where they held talks with parliament vice president Jadranka Kosor. ZPH's representatives said the biggest problems faced by Croatia's returnees were infrastructure reconstruction and economic revival, and mine-clearing, of arable land in particular. They also pointed to problems specific for areas and counties they come from, and advocated the state should show more understanding for entrepreneurs coming from areas of special government concern. ZPH's representatives said one of the reasons for the slow normalisation of relations in areas formerly occupied by Serbs was that not all individuals who should be criminally persecuted have been criminally persecuted. "Our government did not recognise criminals, it forgave even those it should not have forgiven, and this will have consequences," ZPH deputy chairman Julije Skeledzic said. Kosor said a regional conference on mine-clearing, scheduled for the end of June, would be an opportunity for Croatia to inform the international community about its problems and seek assistance. The parliament vice president also said more than 32,000 returnees had come back to eastern Croatia which, she added, indicated that returns had increased. The security conditions are good, but difficulties are unavoidable, she said. (hina) ha jn