DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER KOSTOVIC MEETS MINISTER AL-TURKI

ZAGREB, Nov 3 (Hina) - Croatian Deputy Prime Minister Ivica Kostovic today met Saudi Arabian Islamic Affairs Minister, Abdull Bin Abdelmoshin Al-Turki, to discuss the refugee and displaced person problem. According to the latest data, Croatia was caring for 144,000 refugees from Bosnia and 190,000 displaced people from the occupied Croatian areas, Kostovic told Al-Turki, adding that Croatia spent DEM 34 million per month on refugee centers. Kostovic stressed that each week up to 600 refugees from the Banja Luka area because of continued ethnic cleansing by Serbs. Kostovic also mentioned the problem of 25,000 Moslem refugees from Velika Kladusa stranded in areas approaching Karlovac. No winter accommodation had been found for them. Al-Turki said Saudi Arabia appreciated Croatia's taking care of refugees and displaced people and added that assistance should be provided to Croatia. After talks with Croatian Government representatives, Al- Turki, who is on the last day of a two-day visit to Croatia, was expected to see the refugee center Kruge in Zagreb. (hina) mm ks sd 031257 MET nov 94