ZAGREB, Oct 17 (Hina) - The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) transferred 45 released detainees from Croatia to Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) on Thursday, the Zagreb-based ICRC office said this evening.
ZAGREB, Oct 17 (Hina) - The International Committee of the Red
Cross (ICRC) transferred 45 released detainees from Croatia to
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) on Thursday, the Zagreb-based
ICRC office said this evening. #L#
Croatia released the detainees under a general amnesty law,
passed by the Croatian Parliament on August 23, 1996.
Before Thursday's transfer ICRC officials talked with each of
detainees to tell them they can choose to stay in Croatia or move
into Yugoslavia. Forty-five released detainees opted for the
transfer to Yugoslavia to be reunited with relatives.
The men, freed from Obonjan, Varazdin and Dugo Selo collection
centres, were transferred via the Bajakovo border crossing to
Belgrade where they were welcomed by families.
In its statement the ICRC "welcomes the recently adopted
general amnesty as a positive step," and it said it would remain
ready "to carry out similar actions in the future that should
contribute to reconciliation and a peaceful transition in Eastern
Slavonia."
Since 1995, the ICRC has transferred 434 freed detainees from
Croatia to Belgrade to be reunited with their families.
(hina) mš
172150 MET oct 96