CRO GOVT SPARES NO EFFORT TO ENSURE NORMALISATION OF LIFE IN W. SL

SL $ AVONIA ZAGREB, May 26 (Hina) - In view of speeding up the process of normalisation and peaceful reintegration of Croatia's occupied areas, the Croatian Government today issued a statement informing all Serbs who had left western Slavonia that they could apply for return. All Croatian citizens of Serb nationality, who had left western Slavonia during the liberation action, and who had had residence there in 1991, could apply to the Red Cross, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and other humanitarian organisations, if they wished to return, the statement said. The application should include an explanation, which would be carefully considered by the Croatian Government. After the liberation of the occupied parts of Western Slavonia and the restoration of Croatian authority, the return of over 14,000 Croats has also begun, the statement emphasised, adding that the Government was sparing no effort to ensure that life in Western Slavonia returned to normal as soon as possible. The statement was released by the office of Deputy Prime Minister Ivica Kostovic. (hina) jn as 261752 MET may 95