DISPLACED PERSONS' ASSOCIATION RENAMED INTO RETURNEES' ASSOCIATION

( Editorial: --> 3527 ) VUKOVAR, Jan 10 (Hina) - The Croatian Returnees' Association will advocate an acceleration of return into former occupied areas of Croatia and will defend the interests of returnees until their homes are finally reconstructed and until they are compensated for their destroyed property, the Association said at an extraordinary session in Vukovar on Saturday. At Saturday's session the Croatian Displaced Persons' Association changed its name into the Croatian Returnees' Association. The Association requested an acceleration of mine clearing, reconstruction and return, and a consistent implementation of all relevant laws. The Association also asked that a bill on compensation of loss be forwarded into the Parliament procedure, and asked the government to hold a session about the reconstruction of infrastructure and economy in areas of return. Present at the session were deputy speaker of the Croatian Parliament, Jadranka Kosor, National Trust Establishment Committee deputy presidents Ivica Vrkic and Vojislav Stanimirovic, Croatian Defenders' Minister Juraj Njavro, head of the Croatian government Office for Refugees and Displaced Persons, Lovre Pejkovic, Aide to the Interior Minister, Josko Moric, director of the Centre for the Reconstruction and Development of the Croatian Danube river region, Ivan Krstanovic, and others. "Our basic goal was the fight to return to our homes. Everyone will decide for themselves whether we have fulfilled it, but it is good that the Association was active," president of the Returnees' Association, formerly the Displaced Persons' Association, Mato Simic, said. Congratulating the Association for becoming a returnees' organisation and wishing all of its members a prompt return to their homes, Kosor called on them to be dignified and patient in their return, as in their exile. The return was a slow and painstaking process, but the Croatian state was a guarantor that everything would be done as quickly as possible. So, keep in mind that Croatia guaranteed to all its citizens all rights and freedom, Kosor said. (hina) lm 101705 MET jan 98