NO REASON TO LEAVE WESTERN SLAVONIA, GOVT GUARANTEES SAFETY

ZAGREB, May 12 (Hina) - Croatian Government representatives today updated reporters on the situation in the Western Slavonia region, liberated ten days ago. Present were Minister Ivan Majdak, who doubles as the coordinator for the restoration of civilian life in Western Slavonia, Administration Minister Davorin Mlakar, the Head of the Government Office for Refugees, Minister Adalbert Rebic and Assistant Interior Minister Josko Moric. 3,500 to 4,000 people were currently living in western Slavonia, reporters heard. Up to 17:00 hours yesterday, 376 requests for citizenship certificates were filed with registry offices and 134 certificates were issued, Mlakar said. Legal aid teams were on the spot to provide legal assistance to anybody who wished it, he said. According to Moric, about 300 people left Croatia, not without difficulties raised by Bosnian Serbs, who were loth to let the convoys enter their territory. Yesterday's convoy was subjected to armed threats, Moric said. All those who meet the criteria for obtaining Croatian citizenship could obtain it. Croatia guaranteed all citizens personal safety and the safety of property, so there was no reason for them to leave western Slavonia, Moric said. He stressed that no crime or major disturbance of peace had been registered in the area since its liberation. The return of 14,000 people expelled during Serb occupation could begin immediately for those whose houses had not been destroyed. Those whose homes had been destroyed - would be able to return as soon as their homes were habitable again, Rebic said, adding that there were about 2,000 destroyed or heavily damaged houses. "Most of the citizens who had left the area during operations have now returned to tehir homes," Rebic said, describing this fact as "extremely important". Majdak stressed the importance of confidence building for the success of the reconstruction process. (hina) jn as 121647 MET may 95