OSCE HEAD IN KNIN SAYS BOSNIAN CROATS NOT WILLING TO RETURN

( Editorial: --> 0330 ) SPLIT, June 10 (Hina) - Most Croats from Bosnia-Herzegovina who settled in the Knin area, 70km north of southern Croatian port of Split, do not wish to return to their former homes, the head of the Knin-based office of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Andreas Kohlschutter, told reporters in Split Wednesday. We respect their wish and will find ways of helping them stay and live where they want, he said. The OSCE does not understand why the Croatian government does not support the return of 5,000 Bosnian Croats who from Croatia want to return to Banja Luka, northern Bosnia, Kohlschutter said. He asserted the Croats' return to the Banja Luka area was possible. Speaking about the situation in the Knin area, Kohlschutter said the it had been much more complex in the last two weeks due to a considerable increase in the number of incidents. He assessed that was the result of Croatian leaders who had openly stated their mistrust towards Croats working for international organisations. Asked about the emigration of Croats from Knin to other countries, incited by some international organisations, Kohlschutter strongly denied such allegations, saying it was case of actual policy manipulating the press. Similar reports are the cause of the increased number of incidents in the Knin area, he asserted. (hina) ha 102242 MET jun 98