ICG: FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR CROATIA DEPENDS ON RETURN OF SERBS

SARAJEVO, Nov 9 (Hina) - The International Crisis Group (ICG) on Monday presented a report in Sarajevo which analyses the current situation regarding the return of Serbs to Croatia and recommends that the international community places stronger pressure on official Zagreb so that the returns process is sped up and made easier. The ICG office for the Balkans with its headquarters in Sarajevo in it recommendations to the international community suggest that the key instrument which could be used for impending pressure is Croatia's wish to be integrated to Western structures. The ICG suggests further monitoring by the international community over the returns programme which the Croatian Government adopted in June this year, as well as the need for urgent intervention in those cases where there is a lack of will by authorities. It is further recommended to use stronger measures which would ensure security for Serb returnees and suggests the implementation of clear criteria to evaluate the success of the implementation of the returns programme. In conclusion, the ICG recommends that Croatia should not be approved any significant aid in reconstruction until clear signs are given with regard to respect of international demands regarding returns as well as an indiscriminate division of resources from reconstruction funds. The ICG report on 22 pages gives a brief description of its view of the history of the Serb issue in Croatia with special emphasis on events from 1990 to date. ICG analysts state that Croat nationalists consider the Serbs as Trojan horses who are often used to undermine Croatia's stability in the aim of annexing Croatian territory to a greater Serbia. Analysts further believe that only a small number of Croats are sympathetic to the Serbs returning and that authorities in Croatia, despite their statements, are in fact obstructing this process. (Hina) sp jn