CROATIA ASSURES OSCE ELECTIONS WILL BE FREE AND FAIR - SAYS GRANIC

ISTANBUL, Nov 17 (Hina) - The Croatian government has given firm assurances that the impending parliamentary elections will be free and fair, and that their results will be implemented, Croatian Foreign Minister Mate Granic said in Istanbul on Wednesday. Granic held talks with the chairman of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Norwegian Foreign Minister Knut Vollebaek, ahead of an OSCE summit to be held in Istanbul on Thursday and Friday. Croatian Premier Zlatko Matesa is also in attendance. "The Government of the Republic of Croatia has given firm assurances that the elections will be free and fair, and that their results will be applied in the spirit of good European standards and our Constitution," Granic said after the talks with Vollebaek. Granic said the interest for the impending Croatian elections was strong, and that many inquired about Croatian President Franjo Tudjman's health, wishing for a speedy recovery. The foreign minister said today's talks also tackled the OSCE Mission to Croatia, especially its role in the impending elections. Asked whether there had been talk about extending the Mission's mandate, Granic answered in the affirmative, pointing out the Croatian government had still not reached a decision on the matter. "We believe the OSCE mandate will stop next year, but it is too early to talk about details," said the minister. While in Istanbul, the Croatian delegation will hold numerous bilateral meetings "through which we want to strengthen the position of the Republic of Croatia in the international community," Granic said. During the first day of the OSCE summit, Granic will meet colleagues from the Russian Federation, Germany, Portugal, and Poland. Premier Matesa, who will address the summit's plenary session, will also meet colleagues from Greece and Turkey. (hina) ha mm