FIRST REVUE OF CROATIAN NGOS OPENS

ZAGREB, Oct 29 (Hina) - The first conference of non-government organisations (NGO) for humanitarian issues and human rights protection acting in Croatia opened in Zagreb on Thursday. Entitled "Revue of Croatian Associations 1998", the three-day conference was organised at a joint initiative of the Croatian government, domestic NGOs, and the international community. The aim is to ensure a highly necessary forum where international organisations, local NGOs, and government institutions may present themselves and get to know each other. Another aim is to present donors and international NGOs active in Croatia. The conference was opened by Croatian European Integration Minister Ljerka Mintas-Hodak and the head of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees mission in Croatia Robert Robinson. "In Croatia there are 1,178 domestic and 44 foreign NGOs registered at present, with some 14,000 on local level and in certain counties," said Mintas-Hodak, adding NGOs deal with social issues, the protection of human rights, minorities, and the environment. It is specific to Croatia that many NGOs stem from the Homeland War, offering aid to civilian and military victims, she added. The Croatian government financially assists the work of NGOs and has only this year earmarked more than US$16 million to that end, Mintas-Hodak said, pointing out the government had also established a special office for cooperation with NGOs. (hina) ha jn