ZAGREB, Oct 27 (Hina) - Although the OSCE mission is not taking part in the EU delegation that is currently on a visit to Croatia, the OSCE (Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe) mission offers full support to this
initiative of the EU (European Union), OSCE mission spokesman Peter Palmer said in Zagreb on Wednesday. EU representatives came in Zagreb yesterday to hold talks with Croatian officials and relay the EU concern about the electoral law and forthcoming elections as well as to stress the necessity for Croatia to cooperate with the ICTY (International War Crimes Tribunal for former Yugoslavia). Palmer said the EU delegation was at a considerably higher level than the OSCE mission, adding that individual initiatives in which all international partners do not participate is not anything unusual. The OSCE mission regards the EU initiative as an impor
ZAGREB, Oct 27 (Hina) - Although the OSCE mission is not taking part
in the EU delegation that is currently on a visit to Croatia, the
OSCE (Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe) mission
offers full support to this initiative of the EU (European Union),
OSCE mission spokesman Peter Palmer said in Zagreb on Wednesday.
EU representatives came in Zagreb yesterday to hold talks with
Croatian officials and relay the EU concern about the electoral law
and forthcoming elections as well as to stress the necessity for
Croatia to cooperate with the ICTY (International War Crimes
Tribunal for former Yugoslavia).
Palmer said the EU delegation was at a considerably higher level
than the OSCE mission, adding that individual initiatives in which
all international partners do not participate is not anything
unusual.
The OSCE mission regards the EU initiative as an important step in a
dialogue with the Croatian Government on the democratisation
process in this country, Palmer said.
He voiced concern over the recent choice and appointment of
Constitution Court judges, because of an evident lack of
transparency, as he said, in the procedure of consultations on this
issue.
The haste in the appointment of new members of the Constitutional
Court showed that there were not enough chances to take in
consideration stands of Croatian political parties, the OSCE
spokesman claimed.
The mission maintains that the correct organisation and
functioning of the Constitutional Court is a basic prerequisite for
a legal and fair course of the forthcoming election during which it
must be clear that this Court performs its tasks impartially, he
added.
Commenting on refugees who fled Bosnia-Herzegovina during the war
and found accommodation in Croatia, Palmer said there were
indications that many of them would like to return to their homes.
It is not sufficient only to make it possible for all who want to
come back to do so, but they should be also encouraged to return, and
Bosnia's authorities should create conditions for their return,
the OSCE spokesman added.
A satisfactory solution should be found for those who do not want to
return to Bosnia, but such solution is not and cannot be living in
someone else's home, Palmer said.
(hina) jn ms