GRAZ ++GRAZ, Oct 24 (Hina) - Security in the region is not dependant only on +a lasting cease-fire, but on the overall material and psychological +state of the whole populace, the president of the Croatian Sabor +Vlatko Pavletic said
in Graz on Saturday.+ Addressing the second Central European Initiative conference of +parliamentary presidents, Pavletic said the war conflicts of this +end of century had left tragic consequences on people in the centre +of the battles, as well as on countries who received the waves of +refugees.+ "Croatia was particularly exposed to pressure, since it welcomed +hundreds of thousands of refugees from Bosnia-Herzegovina at the +same time that hundreds of thousands of Croats, exiled from one +fourth of Croatian territory by Serb rebels assisted by the +(former) Yugoslav army, were seeking and finding refuge in BH's +free regions," said Pavletic.+ The end of a war i
GRAZ, Oct 24 (Hina) - Security in the region is not dependant only on
a lasting cease-fire, but on the overall material and psychological
state of the whole populace, the president of the Croatian Sabor
Vlatko Pavletic said in Graz on Saturday.
Addressing the second Central European Initiative conference of
parliamentary presidents, Pavletic said the war conflicts of this
end of century had left tragic consequences on people in the centre
of the battles, as well as on countries who received the waves of
refugees.
"Croatia was particularly exposed to pressure, since it welcomed
hundreds of thousands of refugees from Bosnia-Herzegovina at the
same time that hundreds of thousands of Croats, exiled from one
fourth of Croatian territory by Serb rebels assisted by the
(former) Yugoslav army, were seeking and finding refuge in BH's
free regions," said Pavletic.
The end of a war is not the end of difficulties for all victims,
refugees and displaced persons in particular, said Pavletic,
adding the latest situation in Kosovo forebode a new humanitarian
disaster which could destabilise the whole region.
"The refugee problem is woven into the history of humankind, to the
point of reaching epic proportions in the 20th century," he said,
pointing out that Croatia's experience confirmed that the real
victims of war were the displaced and refugees.
Speaking about the refugee return programme implemented in
Croatia, Pavletic focused on problems which appear in the process,
mine-clearing in particular.
"Nowadays Croatia is undoubtedly a regional stabiliser, and for
this reason rightfully expects understanding, support and
assistance from the international community towards maintaining
this constructive position," Croatia's parliamentary president
said.
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