ZAGREB, Dec 4 (Hina) - There are still some steps Croatia has to make +in order to implement its programme of return in a satisfactory +manner, and the Conference on Reconstruction and Development of +Croatia is the first step,
ambassadors of the United States and +Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) said at +Friday's Conference on Reconstruction and Development of Croatia.+ The conference is being held in Zagreb today and tomorrow.+ The reconstruction programme presented by the Croatian Government +is good but there are still some steps the Government has to make in +order to remove discrimination and secure transparency in the +programme of implementation of reconstruction and development, +OSCE Mission Chief in Croatia Tim Guldimann said.+ On the ground, the fundamental obstacles to return that have been +solved on paper have not been overcome, said US Am
ZAGREB, Dec 4 (Hina) - There are still some steps Croatia has to make
in order to implement its programme of return in a satisfactory
manner, and the Conference on Reconstruction and Development of
Croatia is the first step, ambassadors of the United States and
Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) said at
Friday's Conference on Reconstruction and Development of Croatia.
The conference is being held in Zagreb today and tomorrow.
The reconstruction programme presented by the Croatian Government
is good but there are still some steps the Government has to make in
order to remove discrimination and secure transparency in the
programme of implementation of reconstruction and development,
OSCE Mission Chief in Croatia Tim Guldimann said.
On the ground, the fundamental obstacles to return that have been
solved on paper have not been overcome, said US Ambassador William
Montgomery. He commended the efforts Croatia has made so far in
implementing the return and reconstruction programme and its
"acceptance in principle" of the return of all citizens.
Croatia should be assisted in the implementation of the programme,
he added.
There are several challenges facing the successful implementation
of the programme: the continued outflow of long-time Serb residents
from Eastern Slavonia and the slow return of Croat displaced
persons to the area; the minimal progress in the two-way return
between Croatia and the Republika Srpska and the slow pace of
returns from the FRY; the lack of an effective, pro-active plan for
economic reinvigoration of the war-affected areas; the lack of
progress in demining acts; the bureaucratic process of applying for
return and assistance; the perception and reality of
discrimination among returnees and; the high cost of
reconstruction.
"How Croatia handles these admittedly enormous challenges will
have a major impact on how this country is viewed by the world
community".
The sum total of the US Government's assistance to Croatia in all
forms in 1997-1998 and projected for 1999 approaches US$500
million, said Montgomery adding that the US would tie its
reconstruction and related assistance to those communities which
demonstrate by word and deed their commitment to reconciliation.
"..the degree of support Croatia can expect from the international
community is entirely linked to the degree with which Croatia
embraces the ideals of the international donor community - respect
for democracy; the promotion of multi-ethnic returns; fulfilment
of its obligations under the Dayton and Erdut agreements; and
progress toward genuine free-market democracy.
(hina) jn rml