DONORS' CONFERENCE WOULD HELP CROATIA SAYS CRO UN AMBASSADOR

( Editorial: --> 6717 ) NEW YORK Oct 8 (Hina) - Croatia's complete social development could be significantly advanced by the scheduled international Donors' Conference for Reconstruction and Development of the country, said Croatia's Ambassador to the United Nations Ivan Simonovic. Speaking on Wednesday afternoon New York time, at a session of the UN General Assembly, Simonovic recalled the repercussions to Croatia's social development following the war. "Being a central European and Mediterranean country, Croatia could be included in that group of countries which can offer assistance to others, however, the repercussions of the war and the price of the aggression experienced are such that Croatia simply cannot fulfil this role", said Ambassador Simonovic. In line with its regular annual session, the General Assembly examined the realisation of conclusions and recommendations adopted at a meeting of world heads held four years ago in Copenhagen. Simonovic reported the steps taken by Croatia regarding the implementation of agreed obligations. He particularly spoke about the national employment programme, care for the young and welfare cases as well as the status of women and children. "Conscious of the fact that the most underdeveloped countries require the most assistance, we warn that this assistance is nevertheless needed in those countries where the economy is transition", he said. He warned that the price of social dissatisfaction in these countries could be a great deal higher than short-term assistance which would be sufficient to assist these countries to build sound foundations for further economic and social development, concluded Simonovic. (Hina) sp jn 081228 MET oct 98