DISPLACED REFUSE TO ACCEPT EXTENSION OF UNTAES MANDATE

OSIJEK, September 26 (Hina) - The Administrative Committee of the Croatian Displaced Persons' Association drafted conclusions of a meeting held in Zagreb on Wednesday regarding the peaceful reintegration of the Croatian Danube river region. The Committee expressed dissatisfaction with the speed of the process and of the return of displaced persons to the Danubian area, and added that it was "unacceptable that the return of Serbs to liberated areas is being carried out at five times the speed of the return of Croat displaced persons to eastern Slavonia, Baranja and western Srijem". The Administrative Committee called on the Croatian government to "clearly define the reconstruction of the economy, especially agricultural property and create conditions for the employment of returnees," as soon as possible. Discussing the UN Security Council's Presidential Statement, the Committee estimated it was a "tactless and partial act aimed at extending the UNTAES mandate," the conclusion said. "It is a document which again completely overlooks the existence of Croat refugees, all victims and the suffering caused by Serb aggression, ethnic cleansing, political genocide in the Danube river region," the Committee added. The Committee called on the government and the Parliament not to yield to the pressures aimed at extending the UNTAES mandate, adding that the "Croatian Displaced Persons' Association will respond to these pressures in their own way". (hina) lm mm 261508 MET sep 97