RETURNEES SATISFIED WITH GOVT DECISIONS ON SUPPORT

ZAGREB, March 31 (Hina) - The Croatian Association of Returnees (ZPH) on Saturday welcomed a government's programme on reconstruction and creation of new jobs in the areas of special state concern, adopted at a government session in Knin on Thursday. Addressing a news conference in Zagreb today, ZPH leaders said they had decided to establish a permanent commission together with the government, which would be in charge of monitoring the implementation of conclusions on the reviving of economy and stimulation of employment in the areas of special state concern. First Deputy Prime Minister Goran Granic said the government "is undertaking aggressive measures for refugee return, including higher funds, which is why it will seek loans on the financial market." ZPH president Josip Kompanovic said there was about 60 percent of unemployed returnees in the areas of special state concern. The government programme, Kompanovic said, envisages the equal right to financial support for all citizens living below the subsistence level, regardless of their status. According to the programme, the implementation of which starts tomorrow, every refugee family will every month receive about 600 kuna in the form of direct financial support, subsidies and food per family member, while those with refugee status will receive somewhat higher allowances. Kompanovic said that not all returnee families would receive the full amount of 600 kuna, primarily those which had working members. (hina) rml