ZAGREB, Aug 9 (Hina) - The President of the Croatian National Sabor, Vlatko Pavletic, on Monday received the head of the OSCE mission in Croatia, Bernard Ponchet, for talks on the return, election law and the freedom of the
media.
ZAGREB, Aug 9 (Hina) - The President of the Croatian National Sabor,
Vlatko Pavletic, on Monday received the head of the OSCE mission in
Croatia, Bernard Ponchet, for talks on the return, election law and
the freedom of the media. #L#
Our basic interest is a programme of the return, said Ponchet adding
that intolerance could be seen in both sides.
Hurdles in the return are, first of all, economic problems and a
high rate of unemployment, Pavletic said.
"Today there is coexistence both in the Croatian Danube River Area
and in Knin, in that way which is possible in rather difficult
economic conditions," the Croatian official added.
Ponchet reminded Croatia of its obligation it assumed in the
Council of Europe to harmonise a law on local administration and
self-government and a law on national minorities, in accordance
with the Venetian Commission's recommendations, by this October.
It seems for us that it is very important that Croatia may fulfil the
obligation within the determined time period, the OSCE
(Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe)
representative said.
What worries the OSCE is an act on the State Judicial Council as
amendments to that law did not include recommendations of Council
of Europe experts, particularly measures aimed at strengthening
independent judiciary.
With respect to the election law, the Sabor President stressed that
the ruling party (HDZ) had reached agreement with the opposition on
major problems. The stumbling block is now the date of the election
which will not be a problem in my mind, Pavletic added.
He said precise conditions for the media coverage of the run-up
would be also agreed upon.
We are interested into objective reporting by television and radio
and we shall work on this in the future, Pavletic said.
Croatia belongs to the European family of peoples, Ponchet said
adding that the international community can help Croatia on the
path toward Euro-Atlantic associations only if Croatia helps to
itself.
(hina) ms