CONTRACT ON COOPERATION IN REFUGEE RETURN SIGNED IN LIPIK

( Editorial: --> 1519 ) LIPIK, Aug 3 (Hina) - The mayor of Lipik (western Slavonia), Stjepan Horvat and Jacques Schutjes, head of the International Organisation for Migrations Mission to Croatia signed a contract on cooperation on Monday. The contract, which is related to a programme of assistance in refugee return, was signed in the presence of representatives of international organisations and the US Embassy. According to the contract, in the next two years the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) will invest DM 2.5 million in the construction of water supply and communal infrastructure in Kukunjevac and a swimming pool and an old primary school in Lipik. USAID is represented by the IOM. Mayor Horvat expressed hope that the contract marked the beginning of more extensive cooperation in the reconstruction of Lipik and creation of conditions for the return of its former residents. IOM representative Schutjes said that the aim of his organisation was to offer various forms of assistance to those municipalities and towns which had actively participated in improving the living conditions of displaced people and refugees now returning to their homes. It is also our intention to additionally help the local authorities in solving at least some of the problems and needs of the local community, he added. Lipik is the first community in the region with which we have established cooperation in the return process, Schutjes said. (hina) rml 031622 MET aug 98