14,078 DISPLACED PEOPLE TO RETURN TO WESTERN SLAVONIA

ZAGREB, May 10 (Hina) - After the liberation of western Slavonia, conditions were made for the return of 14,078 displaced persons to the region. 974 (6.9 percent) of those to return were of Serb nationality, Adalbert Rebic, head of the Croatian government Office for Displaced Persons and Refugees told a press conference today in Zagreb. It was possible at the moment to return immediately about 7,000 displaced to western Slavonia, Rebic said. Speaking of the situation in the region, Rebic said that food and other necessities were provided for persons who had been temporarily relocated from the area. Those who returned to the area were given financial help. As of July 1, all refugees from Kupres plateau (liberated part of Bosnia-Herzegovina), who were at present in Croatia, would no longer have refugee status, as the conditions for the return of all persons of mature age were made, he said. Rebic also said negotiations with the Herzeg-Bosnian Office for Displaced Persons and Refugees were in progress in order to accommodate some of Bugojno and Jajce refugees in the area. (hina) jn rm mms 101643 MET may 95