PRESIDENT TUDJMAN MEETS CROAT REFUGEES FROM VOJVODINA - STATEMENT

ZAGREB, Feb 15 (Hina) - Croatian President Franjo Tudjman today recieved a delegation of the Union of Croat refugees from Vojvodina. The meeting included the Union's president and vice president, Franjo Orlovic and Ante Plivolic, the head of the Office for National Security, Krunislav Olujic, and the head of the Presidential Cabinet, Gordan Radin, a Presidential statement said. The delegation informed the President that more than 45 thousand people had been expelled from Vojvodina to Croatia and that most of them had managed to exchange their houses with Serbs who decided to live in Serbia. Up to 12 thousand Croats expelled from Vojvodina have found accommodation in Zagreb and as many in the Virovitica and Osijek areas. They have also taken up residence in Rijeka, Zadar and Istria. Vojvodina Croats told the President of the problems they were encountering in towns along the Adriatic coast when trying to register their property and exchanged houses. They added that most of them found jobs, and emphasised their support for Croatian government policy. They told the President that they were forced to sell cheap their land in Srijem - at a price of 1,800 kunas per acre. The President stressed that Croatia supported expelled Croats and their integration into the overall political and economic life of the country. He also supported their representatives in the Ministry for Reconstruction and Development and the Ministry for Returnees. President Tudjman was presented with a traditional wedding towel worn by best men at wedding parties. The delegation said such a present was given only to men held in high esteem. (hina) jn vm 151546 MET feb 95