CRO TV REPORTS INSUFFICIENTLY ON RECONCILIATION & RETURN - SAYS OSCE

ZAGREB, Feb 9 (Hina) - The head of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Mission to Croatia on Tuesday said the OSCE was partially satisfied with the performance of Croatian Television (HTV), but believed it insufficiently reported about reconciliation and almost not at all about the Serbs' return. Speaking about the contents of HTV broadcasts, OSCE's Tim Guldiman said the OSCE would like them to focus more on reconciliation and to speak more positively about the return. Guldimann on Tuesday held talks with HTV director Ivica Vrkic. Also present were Council of Europe political manager Hans Peter Furrer, OSCE spokesman in Zagreb Mark Thompson, UN spokesman Alexandar Ivanko, and OSCE's representative for freedom of the media Ferimut Duve. The assessment of OSCE and Council of Europe delegations was that HTV was still politically biased. Furrer said HTV complied with some Council of Europe recommendations, and might comply with others in the future. Guldimann however pointed to current stagnation in compliance with international obligations. The OSCE and the Council of Europe offered to assist HTV in covering the upcoming elections and in the changes on HTV, Furrer and Guldimann said. "The talks have been very useful and full of suggestions and initiatives," HTV director Vrkic said. He added, "we are doing everything to be in harmony with the international community and rules which are international, but Croatian as well." (hina) ha mm