OSCE WELCOMES GRANIC'S STATEMENT ON SERB RETURN PLAN

( Editorial: --> 6936 ) ZAGREB, May 27 (Hina) - The Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe welcomes the Croatian Foreign Minister's statement that a government plan on refugee return will be presented in June, OSCE mission in Croatia spokesman Mark Thomson told reporters in Zagreb Wednesday. The OSCE also expects new steps which will help in implementing the Binding Instructions on the return of Serbs, Thomson said. We have noticed the Binding Instructions have started being applied and expect the plan currently being drafted will support and facilitate the implementation of basic principles in the Instructions, the spokesman said. Foreign Minister Mate Granic yesterday told reporters he expected a concrete plan on the return of Croatian Serb refugees would be completed by June 20 at the latest. It is expected to be accepted by parliament two days ahead of a European Union Council of Ministers meeting scheduled for June 27, Granic said. (hina) ha /mbr 271602 MET may 98