CRO LABOUR MINISTER HOLDS TALKS WITH IOM GENERAL DIRECTOR

( Editorial: --> 9957 ) ZAGREB, June 9 (Hina) - Croatian Labour and Social Welfare Minister Joso Skara on Tuesday held talks with James Purcel, General Director of the International Organisation for Migrations (IOM), at Purcel's request. Purcel informed Skara and his associates about the IOM's activities and cooperation opportunities in implementing the Government Programme of Return. Purcel stressed that his organisation would cooperate with the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, U.N. Organisation for Development Problems and the Croatian Government in the return of refugees and creation of adequate living conditions. The IOM will try and speed up the programme of reconstruction of Croatian towns, especially their infrastructure, Purcel said. These projects will be employment-oriented, which is of special interest for the Croatian Government and the Labour and Social Welfare Ministry. Purcel and Skara also discussed the emigration of Croats to third countries. It was said that the IOM neither conducts nor condones such activities. (hina) rml 091550 MET jun 98