KORAC:TRIP TO ZAGREB - CHANCE FOR STARTING POINT IN NORMALISATION OF RELATIONS

ZAGREB, Oct 11 (Hina) - Our visit to Zagreb is an opportunity for establishing the basis, during talks with Croatian officials, for efforts aimed at normalising relations between Croatia and Serbia, said Zarko Korac, the president of the Yugoslav Social Democratic Union, in Zagreb on Wednesday evening. Korac and a leader of the New Democracy, Svetozar Krstic, being representatives of the Democratic Opposition of Serbia (DOS), paid a one-day visit to the Croatian capital, at the invitation of the Serb National Council (SNV) . "This first trip to Croatia in foreign policy of representatives of the future authorities reflects how much it is important for us," Korac said at the reception the SNV organised in Journalists' House in Zagreb on the occasion of the opposition's victory at the elections in Yugoslavia (Serbia/Montenegro). Korac said that during the inauguration of the incumbent Croatian President Stjepan Mesic in the beginning of this year, Serbian opposition representatives "expressed wish to initiate relations with Croatia." DOS is facing numerous problems in its attempts to set up authorities and now it is struggling for survival, Korac assessed adding that he did not know whether bodies of the authorities would be soon established as the DOS had no control over police or army but only enjoyed popular support. Asked by reporters Korac said he did not know whether the newly- elected Yugoslav President Vojislav Kostunica would apologise (for war crimes) prior to his arrival in Zagreb. "When, however, the overall relations are changed and warmed, the issue of the accountability for what happened in the past wars will be put on the agenda," Korac maintained. SNV President Milorad Pupovac said the Serb community in Croatia voiced particular satisfaction with changes in Serbia. "We have therefore gathered this evening to confirm our satisfaction with the final end of a regime and policy which has brought calamity both to us and Croatia and a broader area of the former Yugoslavia," Pupovac emphasised. He expected from new authorities in Serbia to do their best to remove war consequences and distress, help refugees to come back and assist in efforts in the search for missing persons. He added that this would be a step forward in gestures of reconciliation and creation of a framework for the economic cooperation. (hina) jn ms