HEBRANG AND CLARK DISCUSS RETURN OF REFUGEES

( Editorial: --> 4361 ) ZAGREB, May 16 (Hina) - Croatia's newly-appointed Defence Minister Andrija Hebrang Saturday held talks in Zagreb with NATO's Commander for Europe General Wesley Clark on the issue of return of refugees and displaced people. Following the talks, Hebrang said it was concluded at the meeting that there were no problems in Croatia's cooperation with the international community, but in the deadlines set for achieving everything the international community was demanding of Croatia as part of the return process. Hebrang also emphasised that Croatia's help in the return process was not in question, but said it was necessary to resolve certain problems in order for this process to be completed successfully. "These problems are primarily of economic nature, because to organise the return of several tens of thousands of refugees in a short time is a huge economic problem for a country which has been destroyed by war, has 240,000 unemployed and still provides welfare for 140,000 displaced people," Hebrang said. "That is why we have asked for cooperation regarding the dynamics of return." The Croatian Defence Minister said Croatia had also been asked to assist in the return of Serb refugees to Drvar, in neighbouring Bosnia-Herzegovina. "In this regard we agreed to closer cooperation and our greater support," Hebrang said. General Clark said it was agreed during the talks that all people, regardless of nationality, who wanted to return to their homes should have the right and possibility to do so, as had been outlined in the Dayton agreement. The American general assessed the talks as very useful. We agreed to continue cooperation to enhance and accelerate this process, he said. Following his visit to Croatia, General Clark is expected to visit Banja Luka and Drvar in Bosnia-Herzegovina. (Hina) jn mb /ha 161521 MET may 98