ZAGREB, May 27 (Hina) - The Article 11 Commission on Wednesday travelled to eastern Slavonia on Wednesday as part of its obligation to monitor the implementation of the Erdut Agreement and reinforce its determination to help promote
tolerance and reconciliation among the Croat, Serb and other communities in the region, the Commission said in a statement Wednesday. It expressed concern, though, about the report about an increase of tension in the region. "The Commission welcomes recent steps by the Government to address the region's problems, including the May 21 meeting of the president with representatives of the Serb community ...and other meeting of Government officials and representatives of the Serb community," the statement said. Commission representatives hailed the inclusion of Serb representatives into the work of the National Commission for Missing Persons, and expressed satisfaction with the
ZAGREB, May 27 (Hina) - The Article 11 Commission on Wednesday
travelled to eastern Slavonia on Wednesday as part of its
obligation to monitor the implementation of the Erdut Agreement and
reinforce its determination to help promote tolerance and
reconciliation among the Croat, Serb and other communities in the
region, the Commission said in a statement Wednesday.
It expressed concern, though, about the report about an increase of
tension in the region.
"The Commission welcomes recent steps by the Government to address
the region's problems, including the May 21 meeting of the
president with representatives of the Serb community ...and other
meeting of Government officials and representatives of the Serb
community," the statement said.
Commission representatives hailed the inclusion of Serb
representatives into the work of the National Commission for
Missing Persons, and expressed satisfaction with the cooperation
of the police and OSCE monitoring mission.
"We are pleased with reports of close cooperation between the
police and OSCE police monitors, the release from detention of the
"Darda Group", the statement said.
The Commission expressed satisfaction with the security situation
in the region, and stressed its concern about the actions and
rhetoric that revive war-time animosity".
The Commission, "based on statements by the Government, senior
officials and leaders of the Joint Council of Municipalities,"
hopes that the trend would be reversed.
The Commission is concerned with the process of return and
reconciliation " including the resolution of property rights
issues, equal access to reconstruction assistance and incidents of
harassment of Serbs".
"While police have developed a satisfactory response to the most
recent incidents, the underlying problem rises above the level of
police reaction," the report said.
The report said all participants of the discussion had pointed out
the economic situation as one of the main obstacles to return and
reconciliation.
The Commission called on the Government and leaders of the Serb
ethnic community to intensify dialogue, "including within the
framework of the national and local trust commissions".
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