Convention of refugee associations held in Zagreb

ZAGREB, 18 December 2000 - In a statement issued today, the Head of the OSCE Mission to Croatia, Ambassador Bernard Poncet, welcomed the initiative of refugee associations in Croatia to organize a convention bringing together the various groups active in the country.

"This represents an important step toward healing divisions in this land," said Ambassador Poncet, speaking at the Convention of the Unions and Associations of Refugee Croats, Returnees and Settlers in Croatia. He commended the organizers for providing a forum for Croat and Serb communities to address truly existential problems.

"By organizing yourselves in this way, you demonstrate cultural maturity and willingness to work towards a solution for all persons affected by the recent armed conflicts in the region. The OSCE is pleased to have been able to play a role in facilitating and assisting the initiators to bring the conference to a reality," he said.

Addressing the long-standing issue of multiple and illegal occupancy, Ambassador Poncet said that grassroots organizations, such as the Bosnian Croat Associations can assist the local and national authorities to work towards the timely restitution of property to its rightful owners.

The conference was organized by the Unions and Associations of Refugee Croats, Returnees and Settlers in Croatia with the support and encouragement from the international community, including the OSCE Mission to Croatia.

For more information, please contact OSCE Spokesperson, Alessandro Fracassetti, OSCE Mission to Croatia, tel.: +385 1 3096 620; fax: 3096 297, alessandro.fracassetti@oscecro.org; www.osce.org/croatia