DONORS' CONFERENCE MOST PROBABLY IN SEPTEMBER - GRANIC

( Editorial: --> 1085 ) ZAGREB, May 2 (Hina) - A donors' conference on the reconstruction and development of Croatia will most probably take place in September, Croatian Foreign Minister Mate Granic told Croatian Television's central news broadcast Saturday. The conference was planned for May, even though a precise date had never been set, Granic said. He pointed out several conditions were necessary for the conference, including finished reconstruction and development plans for eastern Croatia as well as for other formerly occupied Croatian territories, and a finished plan for the refugee return. "We plan to have all these plans probably by late July or, being more realistic, by early September". In answer to claims that the criticism directed at Croatia was a result of the basic idea on the Serbs' return, the foreign minister pointed out the "Article 11 Commission (in charge of supervising the implementation of the Erdut Agreement on the reintegration of eastern Croatia) made criticisms at the so called individual return procedure". "That is not about a return plan that has to be made but, I would say, about a rule for obtaining documents and the possibility of returning to the Republic of Croatia". "The criticism is serious and the threats are serious and Croatia should take them seriously, but on the other hand Croatia will respond to this criticism, which means we believe that with (the current) return procedure documents may regularly be obtained in our embassies and consulates-general, and that the return plan may be implemented in line with the Constitution and the law", Granic said. "The international community seeks that we make certain explanations and the Government will consider the criticism and remarks levelled by the international community." "I believe an answer will follow next week, and the best answer will be practice. In the next three months we believe the practice will be positive, that (we shall witness) that the Croatian Government's return plan is realistic and will suit not only the Republic of Croatia, but will also respond to the demands of the international community", the foreign minister said. "There have been unrealistic demands, unrealistic estimates based on (the conviction that) if Croatian Serbs who are in the Bosnian Serb entity return to Croatia, then it will be possible for 150,000- 200,000 refugees, mostly Muslims and Croats, to return from Germany". "But the reality is quite different, and Serb sources show that 3,000-4,000 Serbs at most are willing to return to Croatia in orderly procedure. This means that Croatia is not an obstacle to that return", Granic stressed. (hina) ha 022200 MET may 98