INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY IS WILLING TO HELP CROATIAN GOVT - GELBARD

( Editorial: --> 3205 ) VUKOVAR, March 29 (Hina) - Following a meeting with members of the National Trust Establishment Committee, the United States President's special envoy for former Yugoslavia, Robert Gelbard, held a press conference in the U.N. headquarters in Vukovar on Sunday. Gelbard said the United States and international community appreciated and supported the work of the Committee and its president Vesna Skare-Ozbolt. It is also a fact that the Committee was established late and that it faces difficult tasks, Gelbard added. The credibility of Croatia's government is at stake, the US envoy said, adding that during his talks with Serb representative Vojislav Stanimirovic he was told that the worries of the Serb ethnic community in Croatia were increasing. Gelbard also said he was informed by the president of the Croatian Association of Displaced People, Mato Simic, that Croat returnees still had many unsolved problems. Time is not working for the Croatian government. However, the international community is willing to help, Gelbard said stressing the United States supported the right to return for all those who wish to return. Gelbard said he did not believe in compulsory return but in the return based on full right to return and on opportunities for returnees to realise decent earnings. Croatia has to provide economic assistance for all returnees, including Serbs, Gelbard said, adding the international community supported the idea of a three-way return on the regional level. He described as positive the Croatian government's decision to open a consulate in Banja Luka. Due to the fact that a pro-democratic government was in power in Republika Srpska, Croatia should intensify its work on the two-way return of Serbs to Croatia and Croats to Republika Srpska, Gelbard said. He described the establishment of trust in the process of two-way return as very important, adding that those who want to return should be able to return to their homes, while those who want to leave should be given temporary accommodation. Speaking about Croatia's chances to enter the Partnership for Peace, Gelbard said he discussed the question last night with President Tudjman and gave the Croatian government a plan of admission with conditions Croatia is expected to meet by the end of this year. I intend to continue cooperating closely with representatives of the Croatian authorities and am very happy about Croatia's intention to become a full member of the Partnership for Peace, Gelbard said. Speaking about the situation in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Gelbard said he was surprised at the fact that there was no return of a larger number of refugees to the so-called minority areas. The international community wants Sarajevo Canton to become a multiethnic area, he added. Gelbard did not want to comment on a statement by High Representative Carlos Westendorp saying Croatia could face sanctions in two weeks, adding he did not discuss that question with Westendorp. (hina) rm 291810 MET mar 98