CONFERENCE ON RETURN OF REFUGEES CLOSES IN BANJA LUKA

( Editorial: --> 1994 ) BANJA LUKA, 28 April (Hina)- A regional conference on the return of refugees in Banja Luka closed on Tuesday afternoon with an extensive statement, stressing that by the end of the year all the conditions should be met for the return of refugees to Bosnia- Herzegovina and Croatia. The ten page statement emphasises that all the governments should be aware that their international rating and chances for membership in European integrations will depend on their contribution to the final creation of conditions for the return of refugees. The final stage of the conference was addressed by Croatian Foreign Minister Mate Granic, British Ambassador to BH Charles Crawford and head of OSCE's mission in Croatia, Tom Guldimann. In his speech Minister Granic stressed Croatia would contribute to a peaceful, dignified and safe multilateral return process. He pointed to Croatia's efforts over the past seven years on accommodation of refugees and displaced persons, stressing that so far it has cost Croatia over $US1.6 billion. Even today, Croatia accommodates 142,000 displaced persons, refugees and returnees, which costs over $US8 million per month. Ambassador Guldimann called on Croatia to pass a transparent administrative procedure for issuing of citizenship certificates to persons who have left Croatia, and to define "flexible conditions" for the return of citizens to their homes. He added that the next few weeks would be crucial for the assessment of Croatia's performance in those areas. Some of the speakers in the second part of the conference were representatives of different religious communtiies, including the Banja Luka bishop, Franjo Komarica, who once again advocated the unconditional right of all refugees to their homes. (hina) jn mr/mrb 282018 MET apr 98