43,000 REFUGEES FROM BH TO LOSE REFUGEE STATUS

ZAGREB, August 1 (Hina) - Croatia is providing care for 382,034 displaced persons, returnees and refugees, 183,133 out of which are from Bosnia-Herzegovina. 76 per cent of Bosnian refugees are Croat and currently there are some 100,000 Bosnian refugees settled in Croatia, says a Report from the Office for Displaced Persons and Refugees, discussed by the Croatian government on Thursday. Croatian Premier Zlatko Matesa said there was no reason for refugees from the Bosnian Federation who could return to their homes to remain in Croatia, adding that their refugee status would become invalid in October. Head of the Office for Displaced Persons and Refugees Damir Zoric said that this referred to 43,500 persons, pointing out that 27,000 were Croats from the mainly Croat municipalities in the Bosnian Federation, while 16,000 were Muslims from municipalities where they were in the majority. Zoric said the issue would be solved after the Bosnian elections. (hina) ha mm 011324 MET aug 96