DORIS PACK CRITICISES EU FOR INSUFFICIENT AID TO CROATIA

( Editorial: --> 5843 ) ZAGREB, May 22 (Hina) - A European Parliament member and chairwoman of the Commission for countries of the former Yugoslavia, Doris Pack, on Friday criticised the European Union for excluding Croatia from the PHARE programme and its insufficient aid in the process of return of refugees and the reconstruction of war-ravaged areas. Pack said she did not understand why, after four years of occupation, suffering, after Vukovar, negotiations about Croatia's access into the PHARE programme had to be suspended. Pack is participating in the work of the international conference "Regional Cooperation in Southeastern Europe" which is taking place in Zagreb under the organisation of the Croatian Faculty of Political Sciences and the European House. Recalling the previous appearance by European Commission's special envoy in Croatia, Per Vinther, who reiterated the familiar EU criticisms against Croatia, Pack said that she could agree with some of his comments, and not with the other part, especially because she feels that a war-ravaged country such as Croatia is not being helped sufficiently. We need to help Croatia more, Pack stressed. She added that many of her colleagues supported her opinion, especially those who visited the war-struck areas of Croatia. Speaking about the difficulties relating to the expectations and true possibilities of return of refugees, Pack said many people in Europe did not understand how much suffering Croats had gone through due to the rebellion of their Serb neighbours. She added that the return of Serbs would always be a slow process, and its background should not be forgotten. Those who expect the process of return of all refugees to their homes, must provide logistic and financial assistance, Pack said. She added she did not see that the EU had done enough to help. Pack's speech at the conference related to political and constitutional aspects of cooperation in southeastern Europe. Participating in the conference are representatives of international organisations and initiatives for regional cooperation, ambassadors of several European countries, representatives of social, political and expert groups in Croatia, faculty professors, party representatives and others. (hina) lm jn 221504 MET may 98