EXPELLED VOJVODINA CROATS HOLD ANNUAL CONFERENCE IN ZAGREB

ZAGREB, May 13 (Hina) - The Association of Croat displaced persons and refugees from Srijem, Backa and Banat (northern and northwestern parts of the so-called Federal Republic of Yugoslavia) held today in Zagreb its annual conference, attended also by Croatian state and military officials. Croatian President's representative Jure Radic said at the conference that the expelled Croats were only guilty of being Croats and that Croatia would give shelter and support to all Croats, no matter where they came from. Croats were experiencing their resurrection in the free, independent and sovereign Croatia, Radic said and called on all refugees to turn to substantial aims, such as the reconstruction and development of Croatia. "We have a holy task of the liberation of every single inch of the Croatian soil" Radic said and estimated that the Croatian army was equipped enough for such a task. Croatian Parliament Deputy Speaker Vladimir Seks said that the expulsion of Croats from Vojvodina had been going on for years. He reminded of the Croatian Parliament's obligation to protect all Croats and assured the audience that Croatia would grant freedom and protection to all Croats. A stand-in to the Croatian army Chief-of-Staff, Major General Zvonimir Cervenko, said that it would stand in history books that 'the Croatian desert storm swept a whole corps in a day and a half', and stressed that it was done in an honourable way. Head of the Association of displaced persons and refugees from Srijem, Backa and Banat, Franjo Orlovic said their persecutors made a big mistake, having driven away honest people and getting idlers and half-criminals instead. The assembly sent a letter of support to the Croatian President. (hina) rm as 131606 MET may 95