VAN DEN BROEK - REFUGEE RETURN MAIN PROBLEM IN CROATIA

( Editorial: --> 7313 ) WASHINGTON, April 16 (Hina) - The European Union Commissioner, Hans van den Broek, in Washington on Thursday singled out the return of refugees and the treatment of the Serb minority as the main reasons why the European Commission decided not to include Croatia in the PHARE programme and not to commence negotiations for agreements on cooperation. "Here I refer in particular to the problem of refugee return, which does not only exist in Croatia, and especially to the treatment of the Serb minority in Croatia, van den Broek told a press conference at the National Press Club. The EU Commissioner is visiting Washington for consultations with American partners that will take several days. He said that Europe would keep its close watch on how Croatia complied with its obligations. "I really hope that we will be able to see improvements", van den Broek said. (hina) mrb/rm 161942 MET apr 98