SERB DEMOCRATIC FORUM WELCOMES TUDJMAN'S VISIT TO VUKOVAR

ZAGREB, Dec 4 (Hina) - Serb Democratic Forum (SDF) secretary Veljko Dzakula on Wednesday welcomed Tuesday's visit by Croatian President Franjo Tudjman to the UN-administered Danube river region, describing it as a "possible turning point in the peaceful reintegration process." "Although many were surprised by Tudjman's visit to Vukovar, we believe that it could be a turning point in the process of return of displaced people, respect for human rights and the peaceful reintegration as a whole," Dzakula told a news conference in Zagreb. However, Dzakula said that the situation in the areas liberated by the Croatian army last year "is still very bad, almost disastrous." He added that there were still cases of looting, burning of houses, harassment, and obstruction of the return. He drew attention to a too complicated and lengthy procedure of issuing documents to returning Serb refugees. Dzakula said that between 18,000 and 20,000 Serb refugees, of about 70,000 who had left the area for the Danube river region, Serb-controlled Bosnia and Yugoslavia, would like to return. (hina) vm mm 041752 MET dec 96