GERMAN AMBASSADOR VISITS CRO DANUBE RIVER REGION

( Editorial: --> 6775 ) BILJE, 8 Dec (Hina) - The German Ambassador to Croatia, Volker Haak, on Monday visited the municipality of Bilje, in the U.N.- administered area. The purpose of his visit, Haak said, was to gain an insight into the course of reconstruction and return of refugees, as well as into 'the relations between Croats and Serbs'. Bilje municipal leaders informed Haak about the long-term development plan. They stressed the lack of financial means, adding it was the cause of the current standstill in the reconstruction process. So far, 166 persons have returned to Bilje. It is expected that another 1,000 displaced people will return to Bilje by the end of this year, after keys to 250 reconstructed houses have been handed over to returnees. The municipal representatives described the relations between Croats and Serbs as fair. (hina) jn rm 081634 MET dec 97