CROATIAN UPPER HOUSE PRESIDENT RECEIVES BRITISH AMBASSADOR

( Editorial: --> 3575 ) ZAGREB, May 13 (Hina) - Croatia is open to the return of all refugees but the procedure requires that certain conditions be met, Croatian Upper House President Katica Ivanisevic said in Zagreb on Wednesday. Ivanisevic discussed the return of refugees and Croatia's access to European integration with British Ambassador to Croatia Colin Munroe. Speaking about conditions necessary for the return, Ivanisevic said that "first, refugees have to return voluntarily". Of about 40,000 Serbs currently in the Bosnian Serb entity only 5,000 wished to return to Croatia, she pointed out. Secondly, refugees have to return to where they can live safely and be adequately accommodated, the Upper House President said. The third condition, she emphasised, is the citizenship issue. Misled and manipulated by a section of the Serbian leadership, Serb refugees left Croatia as citizens of the former Yugoslavia, Ivanisevic explained. The British ambassador was understanding of the complexity of the return. He believed that perhaps part of the press and some Croatian leaders were interpreting Europe's stance wrongly by showing that the international community wanted an immediate mass refugee return. What the international community wants is that those who wish to return be enabled to do so, Munroe said. He added it was absolutely clear to the international community that this was not just Croatia's problem, but of Bosnia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia too. Recalling a return procedure document which the Croatian Government adopted April 27, Munroe said the procedure in question differed from the one Croatia previously drafted with the international community. This April 27 document could cause difficulties and the international community demands that Croatia implement in practice all the agreements it signed. We want to help Croatia change things, Munroe said. Today's talks also touched upon Croatia's access to European integration. Croatia is already in Europe, Ivanisevic emphasised. But until it is fully included in European associations Croatia will not be able to function regularly in the European community. (hina) ha /mrb 131547 MET may 98