CROATIA WILL NOT GIVE NEW CONCESSIONS TO LOCAL SERBS

KARLOVAC, Nov 4 (Hina) - Croatian President Franjo Tudjman today visited Karlovac where he met county leaders for talks on the security situation after a large number of refugees poured into the region from west Bosnia. Tudjman also talked to refugees from the Serb-held part of Karlovac County. The refugees told the President of their difficulties in obtaining citizenship certificates and house evicitions. Tudjman said the Croatian government was attempting to finalise an agreement with local Serb authorities by November 21 on restoring water and electric power and opening communications. The President reiterated the Croatian stance that reintegrating occupied Croatian territories was possible only within the framework of UN Security Council resolutions, particularly resolution 947, the Croatian Constitution and Constitutional Law on the rights of ethnic communities and minorities. Tudjman rejected the possibility of giving any new concessions to local Serbs. In this respect, Croatia had support from the co- chairmen of the International Conference on the Former Yugoslavia, David Owen and Thorvald Stoltenberg. Tudjman said the gradual implementation of the agreement which was expected to be signed by November 21 should start by December 21 at the latest. Otherwise, Croatia would have to cancel UNPROFOR's mandate, he added. Tudjman told the refugees that the return to their homes had to be safe and dignified, and the refugees voiced their support for the efforts Croatian authorities were making in this regard. After the talks with refugees, Tudjman met local businessmen at the Karlovac brewery. (hina) mm vm 041719 MET nov 94