CROATIAN FOREIGN MINISTER ARRIVES IN STRASBOURG

( Editorial: --> 1477 ) STRASBOURG, May 4 (Hina) - The forthcoming session of the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers will be a chance for Croatia to say what it has done during the past six months and to answer possible criticism by the international community, Croatian Foreign Minister Mate Granic said in Strasbourg on Monday. Granic is to participate in the 102nd session of the Committee of Ministers on Tuesday. Croatia is not a topic on the schedule, Granic said adding there was a possibility that some of the ministers might address the question of Croatia, especially the return of refugees. "Croatia respects the right of its citizens to return and it will draw up a plan of return in cooperation with the international community and in line with principles and conventions on refugees, which means that refugees can return voluntarily in full security and in line with the state potential," Granic said. Next week Croatia will answer to the Article 11 Commission's objections and give guarantees to implement the measures it had adopted, which would enable the acquisition of documents and be the basis for the drawing up of the return plan. The Croatian Foreign Minister announced that he would have some important bilateral meetings during his two-day stay in Strasbourg. This evening, Granic will attend an informal ministerial meeting which is organised by the Council of Europe Secretary-General Daniel Tarschys. (hina) rm /mb 041757 MET may 98