OSCE MISSION CHIEF IN CROATIA VISITS VUKOVAR-SRIJEM COUNTY

VINKOVCI/VUKOVAR, April 7 (Hina) - It is a pleasure to note that the events in Kosovo have not influenced the situation and normalisation of relations in the Croatian Danube region, Mission Chief of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Tim Guldimann, said in Vinkovci on Wednesday, having held talks with the eastern Croatian Vukovar-Srijem County's prefect, Rudolf Koenig. Guldimann added this was mostly the result of the professional work of the police in the region. Koenig and Guldimann talked about the position of economy, the elections and situation in the Danubian area. Expressing concern of the international community that the events in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia could influence the situation in the Croatian Danube region, Guldimann called on responsible persons and factors not to allow the events in the FRY to jeopardise the so far achieved results in the peaceful reintegration of the region. Koenig expressed satisfaction that there had been no incidents in the Danube region, despite the events in neighbouring Yugoslavia, not even the gathering of Serbs to protest against NATO strikes. "There is not even pressure of refugees wishing to enter Croatia," Koenig said. Guldimann also held talks in Vukovar with the president of the Independent Democratic Serb Party (SDSS), Vojislav Stanimirovic, and the president of the Joint Council of (Serb-populated) Municipalities. "We told Guldimann clearly that we are concerned over NATO strikes on FRY, and that it would be very delicate if meetings of support to the FRY were held in the Croatian Danube region," Stanimirovic said after the meeting. I believe such gatherings could have unwanted consequences both for Serbs and Croats, and would be of no use to the FRY, he added. Stanimirovic said he hoped a peaceful solution for Kosovo would be found, by giving Kosovo a high level of autonomy. (hina) lml