UN REPS URGE DONORS TO ASSIST RETURNEES IN CROATIA

( Editorial: --> 8150 ) ZAGREB, Sept 4 (Hina) - Security continues to be an important issue in refugee return areas in Croatia, but the returnees' existential issues are becoming increasingly important as well, representatives of UN agencies said in Zagreb on Friday during a meeting with ambassadors of donor countries and Croatian representatives. Representatives of UN agencies called on the donors to ensure the paying out of an entire sum envisaged for 1998. In December 1997 UN Agencies operating in Croatia requested US$44.6 million and received 46 per cent of the amount to date. Today's meeting was chaired by the head of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) mission in Croatia Robert Robinson. Robinson said the emphasis from security issues was shifting to the necessity of offering assistance in reintegration. The reconciliation process is nowadays becoming increasingly linked with existential issues, he said. The UNHCR is satisfied with the Croatian government's return programme, but will grant permission for implementation when housing commissions in return areas become fully effective, Robinson said. According to the head of the government's Office for Refugees and Displaced Persons, Lovre Pejkovic, the housing commissions should be equipped with computers to achieve higher effectiveness. The importance of existential issues was also pointed out by John J. Bullard, head of the UNHCR programme mission. The Croatian government has showed willingness to accept the returnees and has facilitated the return of a large number of people from other countries, Bullard said. We must make sure that the political achievements of the international community be preserved, and not wiped out due to insufficient and proper accommodation, lack of food or firewood, Bullard said. At today's meeting speeches were also held by representatives of the UN Land Mines Centre (UNMAC), the International Agency for Migrations (IOM), the UN Education, Science and Culture Organisation (UNESCO), the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), the UN Development Programme (UNDP), and the UNHCR. Addresses were also made by representatives of UNHCR's biggest donors, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which provides for 30 per cent of the entire UNHCR assistance in Croatia, and the European Union Humanitarian Organisation (ECHO), which ensures 500,000 ECU for the UNHCR. ECHO's Enrique Aguado said the UN would soon finance the UNDP as well. (hina) ha jn 041845 MET sep 98