CROAT DISPLACED EXPRESS UNHAPPINESS WITH PLANNED RETURN DYNAMICS

( Editorial: --> 3742 ) ZAGREB, June 25 (Hina) - Reconstruction and Development Minister Jure Radic discussed the Government's Programme for the Return and Accommodation of Refugees and Displaced Persons with representatives of Croat displaced people on Thursday. The Programme is due to be debated by the Croatian National Parliament on Friday. After today's meeting with Radic, Croat displaced persons representative Mate Simic said that they were unhappy with the planned return of only 10,000 to 20,000 displaced people annually. Return must be expedited and that will require more funds from the state budget for the reconstruction of homes, farms and auxiliary buildings, Simic said. The Croat displaced are also concerned about a provision in the Programme prescribing that those displaced whose homes have been temporarily occupied by other people, will have to appeal to municipal and local housing commissions in order to be able to move into their property. They also object to amounts that have been earmarked for the reconstruction of lightly damaged homes. Minister Radic replied by describing the Programme as an optimal framework for the quickest and most massive return of people to their homes. The refugee problem could be resolved much faster with more abundant international assistance, he added. Radic asserted that the return and reconstruction process financed through state budget support could last as long as five years, but with international assistance it could take about three years. In the latter case, as many as 40,000 people could return to their homes by the end of the year. The efficiency of the return will depend on how it is implemented on the ground, Radic believes. (Hina) mro jn /mbr 252204 MET jun 98