MINES BIGGEST OBSTACLE TO RETURN - OSIJEK RETURNEES ASSOCIATION

( Editorial: --> 6142 ) OSIJEK, Mar 2 (Hina) - The administration committee of the Osijek- Baranja County association of returnees Monday held the first session in the new composition. The new members were elected at a 27 February session. Administration committee chairman Josip Kompanovic said the county's returnees association must persevere in eliminating difficulties in the reconstruction, return and especially in the clearing of mines which, he said, stalled the return to eastern Croatia. It was decided a letter would be sent to Premier Zlatko Matesa demanding that the Government do everything to start mine-clearing operations in eastern Croatia at once. In the letter, the returnees express their dissatisfaction with the fact that the Croatian mine centre is not in the east, and demand that one such centre be set up either in Osijek-Baranja or Vukovar- Srijem Counties, in order to step up and facilitate the process. The head of Ernestinovo municipality Ladislav Ferenc said mine- clearing had begun in Laslovo and was expected to begin in the Ernestinovo and Antunovac areas as well. (hina) ha 022345 MET mar 98