SHELTER FOR ASYLUM SEEKERS IN CROATIA OPENED

DUGO SELO, Jan 8 (Hina) - Croatia's Interior Minister Ivan Penic on Wednesday opened a shelter for foreigners, at Jezevo near Dugo Selo (20 kms east of Zagreb). The shelter, owned by the Interior Ministry, will offer accommodation to persons who seek asylum in Croatia or who are ordered by Croatian authorities to leave the country but could not do it for some reason. Speaking of the shelter's work and purpose, an Interior Ministry senior official, Miljenko Bukovac, said the facilities could receive some 70 persons and accommodate them in good conditions. We have fulfilled commitment, under Croatian and international legislation, by opening the shelter as a state institution for providing accommodation to foreigners, Minister Penic said adding that the shelter would help decrease a number of foreigners with the unsolved status. The ceremonial opening was attended by officials of the Croatian Interior Ministry and other ministries, and foreign relief agencies' representatives. (hina) mš 081637 MET jan 97