CROATIAN VICE PREMIER RECEIVES US AMBASSADOR

( Editorial: --> 2927 ) ZAGREB, Feb 18 (Hina) - Croatian vice Premier Ljerka Mintas Hodak on Wednesday received the US Ambassador to Croatia, William Montgomery at his request, the Croatian government's Communications Office said. The meeting focused on the situation in the Croatian Danube river region and on the realisation of the process of the two-way return of displaced persons. Hodak and Montgomery agreed that property problems of all displaced persons should continue to be solved, with the help of the international community. Hodak stressed that the speed of reconstruction and return depended on the financial help of the international community, because Croatia had so far financed the process exclusively with its own resources. Speaking about the State Department report on the human rights situation in Croatia, Hodak clarified some points of protest by the Croatian government on certain inaccurate and exaggerated statements. She stressed that in assessing the human rights situation, one ought to keep in mind the special circumstances in Croatia in relation to other countries in transition or countries of the developed West. Admitting that there were certain violations of human rights as stated in the report, Hodak stressed the need of a proper valorisation of advances towards the improvement of the human rights situation. Hodak and Montgomery agreed to cooperate more closely in issues concerning human rights, so the American side could have complete information about measures Croatia was undertaking to resolve the problems leading to the violation of human rights. (hina) lm jn 181858 MET feb 98