PARLIAMENT PRESIDENT OPPOSES DECREASE OF RECONSTRUCTION FUNDS

ZAGREB, June 24 (Hina) - Croatian National Parliament president Vlatko Paveltic on Thursday received representatives of the Association of Returnees, headed by chairman Mato Simic. The meeting focused on amendments motioned by a group of MPs at the House of Counties, requesting that the rescheduling of the budget should not cause a decrease in resources for reconstruction. It was suggested that by rescheduling the budget, funds should decrease by US$37.4 million. Stressing the Parliament House of Counties adopted the amendment Thursday, Simic said without the resources, it would not be possible to reconstruct homes for returnees this year. Pavletic supported the endeavours of the Association of Returnees' representatives, stressing Mato Simic would at Friday's session of the House of representatives would have the opportunity to explain and defend the amendment. He also stressed the return of displaced persons was a priority issue. Protracting the return process for ten years could be hazardous for Croatia, Pavletic said. Stressing the lack of finances for reconstruction, mine-clearance and ensuring the livelihood of returnees was a problem, Pavletic stressed another problem was also the pressure of the international community on Croatia and the insisting of equal treatment for Serbs in the process of reconstruction, including those who destroyed the houses. (hina) lml jn