SERB ORGANISATION UNSATISFIED WITH WORK OF HOUSING COMMISSIONS

( Editorial: --> 2838 ) ZAGREB, Sept 24 (Hina) - The Serb National Council (SNV) on Thursday warned that the non-functioning of housing commissions could jeopardise the implementation of the Croatian Government's Return Programme. "If the housing commissions do not start operating, it will not be possible to implement the Return Programme," SNV president Milorad Pupovac said. "There are no notable changes. The problems are the same as those that existed two months ago," Pupovac said during a break in today's session of the SNV's extended presidency. The SNV president expressed hope that the Government would offer a more pronounced support for the solution of problems of housing commissions. Pupovac commended the efforts of the housing commission in Petrinja and expressed dissatisfaction with the housing commissions in Okucani, Knin and Kostajnica. The SNV warned that the reconstruction of Serb houses had not even started and that the reconstruction of houses of displaced Croats in eastern Slavonia had obviously come to a stalemate. Pupovac believes that the problem is not a lack of money but a lack of readiness to start reconstruction. Ten thousand Serb families who are waiting to be included in the reconstruction process should not be a financial burden for the state, Pupovac noted. The SNV vice-president Vojislav Stanimirovic said that, not counting the last two months, 40,000 Serb returnees had been registered in Croatia. However, between 10,000 and 15,000 returnees had to temporarily return to Yugoslavia or went to live with their relatives due to inadequate living conditions, he said. The SNV reiterated its support for the conference on reconstruction and development, which should be held in autumn. Stanimirovic, who is also the president of the Serb Democratic Independent Party (SDSS), said he was convinced that there would be an early parliamentary election in Croatia. He welcomed the drawing-up of an election law by the Opposition but added that his party would independently propose a method of election of Serb representatives to parliament. (hina) rml /mbr 241802 MET sep 98