ZAGREB, Jan 19 (Hina) - Croatia is hoping the Federal republic of Yugoslavia will reverse its decision to ban the head of the Verification Mission of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), William Walker, and
enable him to continue his duties without interruption, the Croatian Foreign Ministry said Tuesday. Expressing regret and concern over Yugoslavia's decision to pronounce Walker a persona non grata, requesting him to leave the country, the Ministry stressed in its statement that the news of Walker's banishment attracted Croatia's attention due to Walker's role in the reintegration of the Croatian Danube region into the rest of the country. Heading the UN Transitional Administration for Eastern Slavonia, Baranja and Western Srijem (UNTAES), Walker greatly contributed to the peaceful reintegration of the Danubian area and to the successful completion of the UN mission in Croatia,
ZAGREB, Jan 19 (Hina) - Croatia is hoping the Federal republic of
Yugoslavia will reverse its decision to ban the head of the
Verification Mission of the Organisation for Security and
Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), William Walker, and enable him to
continue his duties without interruption, the Croatian Foreign
Ministry said Tuesday.
Expressing regret and concern over Yugoslavia's decision to
pronounce Walker a persona non grata, requesting him to leave the
country, the Ministry stressed in its statement that the news of
Walker's banishment attracted Croatia's attention due to Walker's
role in the reintegration of the Croatian Danube region into the
rest of the country.
Heading the UN Transitional Administration for Eastern Slavonia,
Baranja and Western Srijem (UNTAES), Walker greatly contributed to
the peaceful reintegration of the Danubian area and to the
successful completion of the UN mission in Croatia, at the same time
keeping in mind Croatia's state interests and legitimate rights of
the Serb minority, the statement said.
Such international mediation by Walker is appropriate and
effective, the Ministry assessed.
With his great experience in diplomacy and peace-building, Walker
can surely help in solving the crisis in Kosovo.
The crisis will not be solved without the active role of OSCE and the
international community, with the necessary presence of
international representatives in this hot spot, the statement
said.
The Croatian Government harshly condemned the crimes Serb
authorities committed against civilians in the village of Racak,
and stressed that an urgent international investigation and
punishment of those responsible is required.
(hina) lml jn