USAID AND IOM TO ASSIST REFUGEES RETURNING TO PETRINJA

( Editorial: --> 3739 ) ZAGREB, June 25 (Hina) - An agreement was signed on Thursday granting the town of Petrinja (50km south-east of Zagreb) US$500,000 in assistance for the return process. The programme is being financed by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by the International Organisation for Migrations. The agreement was signed by Petrinja Mayor Josip Dolenec and IOM mission to Croatia head Jacques Schutjes. The programme envisages the creation of conditions for the return of 2,000 people to Petrinja. The donation will be used for repairing the city hall, equipping the municipal administration with an electronic data processing system, developing a low voltage power network in Glinska Poljana and repairing Petrinja's water supply. The donators were thanked on behalf of the town by Mayor Dolenec. Schutjes also expressed his satisfaction with the agreement. The gathering was also addressed by Charles Anneson, a USAID representative and envoy of the US Ambassador to Croatia. The programme is meant to facilitate the return process by addressing humanitarian issues, strengthening democracy and local communities, as well as reconciliation between Croatian citizens, the return of refugees and displaced people and reconstruction of vital infrastructure in Petrinja and nearby villages. (Hina) mro jn /mbr 252031 MET jun 98