AUTHORITIES URGED TO EASE BUREAUCRACY FOR RETURNING EMIGRES

( Editorial: --> 4640 ) KARLOVAC, Aug 20 (Hina) - Immigration Minister Marijan Petrovic held talks with Karlovac County officials on Wednesday to discuss the return of Croatian emigres, especially those from Australia, Canada and the United States, to their homeland. Petrovic emphasised the need to improve cooperation between his ministry and local authorities because of the greater interest by Croatian emigres to return to Croatia and invest in areas liberated during operations Flash and Storm three years ago. The reason for Petrovic's visit to Karlovac is the return of 12 Croat families from Australia, who have settled in the Krnjak municipality since the beginning of the year, as well as the fact that many returning families are investing their capital in small industry, especially agriculture and cattle raising. After the meeting, Petrovic said it was necessary to reduce administrative measure for returning emigres, and many were interested in obtaining loans and learning about living conditions in the Karlovac area. At the meeting it was told that since 1991, the Karlovac County has had one of the largest population reductions in Croatia. Over many years a lot of its residents moved to Australia, Canada and the US. It is estimated about 6,600 families from the Karlovac County currently live in the diaspora. The meeting agreed that the problems of returnees should be resolved as soon as possible before they settle into demographically devastated settlements and municipalities. (Hina) mbr 201244 MET aug 98