INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY DOES NOT APPRECIATE CROATIA'S EFFORTS - PM

( Editorial: --> 3958 ) ZAGREB, April 29 (Hina) - Croatian Prime Minister Zlatko Matesa on Wednesday said that the EU Council did not sufficiently appreciate Croatia's efforts in the return of refugees, the implementation of the Dayton Accord and cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY). The EU Council on Monday adopted a report which said that lack of a clear commitment to Dayton, ethnic reconciliation and democratic reform were seriously hampering Croatia's "real opportunities" to achieve its aspirations to approach the EU. At a HDZ press conference, Matesa recalled that more than 30,000 Serbs had returned to Croatia, which was more than the total number of returnees to other states of the former Yugoslavia. "The pressure on Croatia is too heavy, considering the number of people that are expected to return," he said. Without a global approach to the refugee crisis, the return process can not be achieved in accordance with the schedules set by the international community, the Prime Minister said. "Croatia has done much but there is still much to do." Matesa announced that the Government would elaborate a return plan on the basis of the already existing procedure for the return of refugees. However, that plan would be within the scope of Croatia's fundamental national and political interests, and would take into account the security and economic prerequisites for return. In addition to the plan, the Government would elaborate several subsidiary documents, Matesa said. "We do not wish to burden ourselves with obligations which we will not be able to fulfil, only to be criticised again by the international community," he said. The Prime Minister said the Croatian delegation to the Banja Luka donors' conference made very clear Croatia's stance on return. He announced that Croatia would sign a bilateral agreement on return with the Bosnian Serb republic, similar to the ones already signed with the Croat-Muslim Bosnian Federation and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, in May. Asked to comment on hints that the EU might abolish autonomous trade preferences which Croatian presently enjoyed, Matesa said that "anything was possible in politics" but expressed doubts that the European Union would "resort to such a move". He announced that the Government would tomorrow sign an agreement with the Independent Association of Trade Unions, one of Croatia's four major union federations. Under the agreement, the untaxable portion of the salary would be increased to 1,000 kuna. Journalists also wanted to know whether the Government would take any steps in connection with the recent Constitutional Court ruling voiding the discharge of the then Supreme Court president Krunislav Olujic two years ago. The disciplinary proceedings against Olujic had been initiated by the Government. Matesa said the Government's legal advisors were scrutinising the Constitutional Court ruling and that the public would be informed of the results in a few days. (hina) jn as/mb 291635 MET apr 98