OSCE Mission welcomes Croatian opposition leader's call for refugee return

ZAGREB, 14 November 2003 - The Head of the OSCE Mission to Croatia, Ambassador Peter Semneby, welcomed on Friday a statement by the leader of the main Croatian opposition party inviting all Serb refugees to return to Croatia.

The Head of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), Ivo Sanader, said this in an interview with Agence France Press and pledged to guarantee returnees all their rights.

"I am pleased that both the Government and the opposition have now made a clear commitment to the return of refugees, and to ensure their rights," Ambassador Semneby said.

The OSCE Mission to Croatia and its international partners have long urged the Government and all political forces in Croatia to make a strong public commitment to refugee return.

The Mission has recently urged the Government to increase its support for out-of-country refugee voters during forthcoming parliamentary elections by opening additional polling stations in Serbia and Montenegro and simplifying registration procedures.