Zagreb, March 27, 2001 (IKA) — The speaker of the Croatian Parliament, Zlatko Tomčić, received the bishop of Banja Luka, Dr. Franjo Komarica, today, March 27, in Zagreb. They discussed the current situation of the Croatian displaced persons and refugees from Bosnia-Herzegovina, especially those from the territory of the entity of the Republika Srpska currently living in the Republic of Croatia, as well as those living in the Republika Srpska, who are mainly being supported by the Caritas branches of the Banja Luka Diocese and the Sarajevo Archdiocese, regarding the rebuilding of housing and the creation of the basic conditions for a normal life. Bishop Komarica presented a concrete agricultural project to Speaker Tomčić for the territories of the following municipalities: Banja Luka, Kotor Varoš, Bosanska Gradiška and Prijedor. This would involve the purchasing of the necessary agricultural machinery: 5 tractors, 5 trailers, 5 ploughs, 5 disc-harrows, 5 sowing machines, 5 harrows and 53 tons of artificial fertilizer for winter crops, and for spring crops, specifically: 1,500 kg corn seed, 22,000 kg potato seed, 5,000 kg oat seed, which should also be financed by the Government of the Republic of Croatia. The total cost of the project would be 231,487.00 DM or 894,279.76 kunas. Bishop Komarica also asked Speaker Tomčić for the authorities of the Republic of Croatia to be more assertive with the authorities of Bosnia-Herzegovina, especially the authorities in the entity of the Republika Srpska, regarding the payment of retirement pensions to numerous retired persons from the territory of the Republika Srpska who are present living in the territory of the Republic of Croatia. Speaker Tomčić promised Bishop Komarica that his request for the financing of the agricultural program would be forwarded to appropriate ministry. He expressed his belief that the Croatian Government would react in a positive manner and thus provide direct assistance to returnees in the territory of the Banja Luka region. “Regarding the question of unpaid retirement pensions, this will be much more difficult but we shall see what we can do,” said Speaker Tomčić to Bishop Komarica. Bishop Komarica thanked Speaker Tomčić for his promised assistance on his own behalf and on the behalf of the future beneficiaries.