CROATIA'S DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER RETURN FROM UNITED STATES

ZAGREB, July 2 (Hina) - Upon return from the United States, where he attended a meeting of the UN Economy and Social Council (ECOSOC), Croatian Deputy Prime Minister Ivica Kostovic told reporters at Zagreb Airport on Saturday that he had expounded "the specific position of Croatia as a country in a state of transition and a country with a large number of refugees and displaced persons, who have the right to development, social justice and return to their homes." Kostovic also held talks with officials of the Helsinki Commission of Congress and the State Department's Office for Refugees. He said he had won assurance from the United States that it would continue extending support to Croatia. Speaking of talks with representatives of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Congress, Kostovic said he had portrayed "the deep humanitarian crisis and Croatia's determination to enable the return of refugees to their homes and to reintegrate the UNPAs." He added that he had stressed the need for the UNPROFOR mandate to be re-examined. 021651 MET jul 94