CROATIAN GOVT. SUSPENDS REFUGEE STATUS TO MOSTAR RESIDENTS

ZAGREB, April 6 (Hina) - A decision by the Croatian government office for refugees to suspend a refugee status to Mostar residents accommodated in Croatia as of April 1 does not apply to the sick and infirm and those whose houses and flats have been devastated, the office said in a statement on Wednesday. The statement said the return of refugees to Mostar would be carried out step by step and in cooperation with Mostar authorities. The decision was motivated by frequent requests by refugees from Mostar to be allowed to return to their homes, and by cessation of hostilities in the town, which eliminated security reasons as an obstacle to the return, the statement said. About 15 thousand refugees from Mostar are staying in Croatia. Croatian authorities are planning to organize the return of refugees to other places in Bosnia in cooperation with Bosnian authorities and UNHCR. In this context, the office for refugees has repeatedly asked Bosnian authorities to deliver a list of crisis spots in Bosnia, but has never received it. The office expressed surprise at a statement by Bosnian minister for refugees Mr Smajkic broadcast by Sarajevo radio a few days ago, who opposed the decision to suspend the refugee status to people from Mostar who had found shelter in Croatia. The statement expressed understanding for hard living conditions in Mostar, but pointed out that living conditions were as bad in war-ravaged towns in Croatia when refugees began returning. 061548 MET apr 94