OSCE: ELECTION BETWEEN CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR UNKNOWN IN EUROPE

ZAGREB, Nov 24 (Hina) - The decision on the election date is the prerogative of the president of the state but holding an election between Christmas and New Year holidays would be extremely unusual and unknown in Europe, said Peter Palmer, spokesman for the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Mission, in Zagreb on Wednesday. Answering reporters' questions at a news conference held by the OSCE and UNHCR Missions in Croatia, Palmer said the Mission noted with sorrow the news of the poor health of Croatian President Franjo Tudjman, and expressed understanding for those having "to resolve the constitutional issues which have arisen as a result of these circumstances". One of those issues is the election date, which is still unknown. During the conference, Palmer said the Mission welcomed the announcement that a new network of independent TV stations in Croatia would soon start functioning under the patronage of the National Television Association. The Mission head Bernard Poncet visited the area of Donji Lapac in mid November, where he was informed of the very difficult living conditions in the town, which has no water supply system and is isolated from any economic activity. Before the war, the population of Donji Lapac was almost 100 per cent Serb, and since 1995 a half of them have returned to their homes. However, although many houses were destroyed following Operation "Storm", there has been no reconstruction of houses in the town, the OSCE spokesman said. In contrast to that, of 285 Kosovo Croat refugees, most of whom settled in Srb (which before the war had an almost 100 per cent Serb population) during October, a half have been given government guarantees of secure accommodation. Although it is not disputable that all refugees should be provided with permanent housing solutions, the difference in the treatment of Kosovo Croats and Croatian Serb citizens is really striking, Palmer said. (hina) mm rml