JOINT COUNCIL OF MUNICIPALITIES AGAINST BLAGOJEVIC'S REPLACEMENT

VUKOVAR, April 26 (Hina) - The decision of the Osijek-Baranja County Assembly to replace Deputy Prefect Mirko Blagojevic is "not legal and jeopardises the position and role of the Joint Council of Municipalities (ZVO), which can have far-reaching consequences", ZVO president Milos Vojnovic said on Monday in a letter to the Office of the Croatian President and the Office of the Premier. The ZVO believes that Blagojevic's replacement violates the Government Letter of Intent (on the completion of peaceful reintegration) of January 13, 1997, and the agreement on the establishment, organisation, status, composition, jurisdiction and financing of the ZVO of May 23, 1997, as well as the Government Decision of October 15, 1998, confirming that agreement, Vojnovic said in the letter. The County Assembly session elected a new deputy prefect without having asked the ZVO for opinion or suggestions, Vojnovic said. He asked the President's Office and the Office of the Premier to prevent the implementation of the decision on Blagojevic's replacement and the appointment of the new deputy prefect. The ZVO has informed the Commission Article 11 and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Monitoring Mission of its stands. At a session held on April 21, the Osijek-Baranja County Assembly adopted a proposal by Prefect Branimir Glavas, replacing the old and appointing six new members of the county leadership. Also relieved of their duties were two deputy prefects, one at his own request and the other, Mirko Blagojevic, at the proposal of the Serb Democratic Party of Baranja (SDBS). Bosko Jancic was appointed as the new deputy prefect. (hina) rml