ASSOCIATION OF BOKA KOTORSKA CROATS DISCUSSES DIFFICULT SITUATION OF CROATS IN MONTENEGRO

ZAGREB, May 20 (Hina) - The status of Croats living in Boka Kotorska has deteriorated recently, particularly due to forced mobilisation, violent behaviour of the military police and arrests, said the Great Council of the Zagreb-based Croatian Fraternity "Boka Navy 809", an association of Croats from Boka Kotorska Bay, on Wednesday. Although the Montenegrin authorities are trying to prevent such behaviour of the federal authorities, pressure on Croats from Boka Kotorska is increasing. The situation is aggravated by the failure to open the Croatian consulate in Kotor, which had already been agreed on between the Croatian and Yugoslav authorities, the association said in a statement. About 100 Boka Kotorska Croats have arrived in Croatia, fleeing mobilisation. Representatives of the association have on several occasions held talks with Croatian authorities on different levels with the aim of securing adequate treatment and full refugee status for Boka Croats. The association said it hoped Croatia would make additional efforts to open its consulate in Kotor and help the local Croat population as well as facilitate the return of Croat refugees to the area. (hina) rml,