VUKOVAR DISPLACED CONSIDER RETURN PRECONDITIONS NOT FULFILLED

( Editorial: --> 9252 ) VUKOVAR, July 22 (Hina) - Displaced Vukovar citizens say they are torn between their hosts' requests for their return to Vukovar and the actual situation in the eastern Croatian city which, according to them, is not ready for their massive return. On Wednesday the leaders of displaced Vukovar citizens' associations from about 20 Croatian towns talked with representatives of the Vukovar authorities about the return process. They conveyed the views of displaced people opinion that the Croatian public mistakenly believes that the reconstruction of Vukovar is well under way and that the displaced will be able to leave current accommodation and return to their homes. We want to return, but mere reconstruction of our homes does not guarantee a dignified existence. There are many problems and unemployment is the greatest, the displaced persons' representatives said. Some spoke in favour of modifying the Reconstruction Act, because the current one did not guarantee that houses would be reconstructed in accordance with their original appearance. They invited the hosts to come to Vukovar and see the situation for themselves. "For seven years, we have been asked to be patient. Now we are asking you for a little patience, so that we can live decently after we return home," one Vukovar citizen said. (Hina) is jn/mbr 221909 MET jul 98