OSCE MISSION CHIEF TO CROATIA DISCUSSES CROATIA AT SESSION IN VIENNA

VIENNA, March 22 (Hina) - Mission chief of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Bernard Poncet on Thursday submitted a periodical report on Croatia at a session of the OSCE permanent council. The report noted progress in the passing of certain laws, including the law on the Croatian Radio and Television which excludes party control of broadcasts, the reform of the media and security, but also warned about insufficient progress in the return of refugees to Croatia, particularly in the area of ownership and reconstruction. Croatian Ambassador at the OSCE, Mario Nobilo, said the report was "objectively balanced" and pointed out progress in the fulfilment of international obligations Croatia has assumed. Areas where progress is less noticeable do not depend on the political will of the Croatian government, but rather objective circumstances, Nobilo said. "Croatia is showing results in the return of refugees, especially in comparison to other countries in the region," Nobilo said, adding that Croatia expected greater cooperation from government authorities in Yugoslavia and Bosnia-Herzegovina in order to expedite this process. Members of the OSCE permanent council applauded the reaction of the Croatian government to recent protests in Mostar, where the Croat national Assembly proclaimed self-rule. They also hailed Croatia's balanced approach to the Amnesty Law and its cooperation with the UN international war crimes tribunal, Nobilo stressed. (hina) lml