UNHCR WILL WORK ON FINDING LASTING SOLUTION FOR REFUGEES

( Editorial: --> 3279 ) ZAGREB, Feb 19 (Hina) - Achieving lasting solutions for the issue of refugees and displaced persons and assisting the most endangered is the principal goal of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in 1998, UNHCR spokesman in Croatia Andrej Mahecic told reporters in Zagreb Thursday. In carrying out its task, the UNHCR will cooperate with the Croatian Government and the National Committee for the restoration of trust. According to Mahecic, the UNHCR will incite a two-way and three-way return and the return of minorities to Bosnia-Herzegovina, which will be followed by reconstruction of areas with high numbers of refugees, displaced persons and refugees, the building of the war- destroyed infrastructure, providing humanitarian aid to the most endangered returnees regardless of ethnic belonging, and assisting in the restoration of peace and trust. The spokesman also commented on last week's meeting between a Norwegian delegation and UNHCR representatives in relation to the request of 350 people from eastern Croatia for asylum in Norway. Mahecic assessed it was unjustified to grant refugee-status automatically, without considering each single case. He warned that automatic granting of that status would bring to an increase in such requests. The head of the UNHCR mission in Croatia, Rob Robinson, will on Thursday hold talks in Geneva on the transfer of the mission in Croatia from the Geneva-based so called unit for the territory of the former Yugoslavia to the regional office for Europe. It is believed this will better suit Croatia's necessities. The programme should assist the Croatian Government's endeavours to access European institutions, Mahecic said. He announced the UN High Commissioner for refugees, Sadako Ogata, would visit Croatia in April. (hina) ha jn 192218 MET feb 98