VUKOVAR ++VUKOVAR, Nov 28 (Hina) - The first conference of returnees took +place in the eastern Croatian city of Vukovar on Saturday.+ The conference focused on mine-clearing, reconstruction of +infrastructure, family houses and
revival of the economy.+ "The aim of the conference is to stimulate an expedited return (of +displaced persons) and reconstruction of war-ravaged areas. The +Croatian state has so far invested about US$2.3 billion into the +project of reconstruction and return, and the same amount more is +necessary to create preconditions for a complete normalisation of +life in the region," Croatian President's envoy, Vesna Skare-+Ozbolt, said at the conference.+ She said that the international conference on the reconstruction +and development of Croatia which is to take place in Zagreb on +December 4 and 5 should be the start of cooperation between Croatia +and the international communi
VUKOVAR, Nov 28 (Hina) - The first conference of returnees took
place in the eastern Croatian city of Vukovar on Saturday.
The conference focused on mine-clearing, reconstruction of
infrastructure, family houses and revival of the economy.
"The aim of the conference is to stimulate an expedited return (of
displaced persons) and reconstruction of war-ravaged areas. The
Croatian state has so far invested about US$2.3 billion into the
project of reconstruction and return, and the same amount more is
necessary to create preconditions for a complete normalisation of
life in the region," Croatian President's envoy, Vesna Skare-
Ozbolt, said at the conference.
She said that the international conference on the reconstruction
and development of Croatia which is to take place in Zagreb on
December 4 and 5 should be the start of cooperation between Croatia
and the international community.
Vice-president of the Croatian National Sabor (parliament)
Jadranka Kosor recalled that since 1991, more than 455,000
displaced persons have returned to their homes, and another 60,000
people from the eastern Croatian Danubian area and 16,000 people
from other areas in Croatia are still awaiting to return.
The state is exerting as much effort as possible to expedite the
return of displaced persons and reconstruction, and 25 per cent of
the state budget for next year has been set aside for spurring the
return and reconstruction, Kosor pointed out.
As she stressed, "not one country in transition has to bear this
burden and we must always take this issue into consideration".
Participants of the conference pointed out numerous problems the
returnees are faced with, and one of the biggest is mine-clearing
for which, according to the returnees, insufficient funds have been
set aside from next year's state budget.
The participants also stressed the need of a speedier
reconstruction.
So far, more than 40,000 buildings have been reconstructed from
budget funds.
Croatian President's advisor for liberated areas, Drago Krpina,
announced amendments to the Law on Areas of Special Government
Care.
The state is doing everything it can for returnees and their return
at the moment, and we will continue doing so until the last
displaced person returns to his home, Krpina stressed.
Saturday's conference was a good opportunity for ameliorating the
conditions of return and reconstruction, but the true achievements
and results of the conference will be seen "in the days to come",
president of the Croatian Displaced Persons' Associations, Mato
Simic, concluded at the end of the conference.
present at the conference were other state officials and
representatives of the international community.
(hina) lml