OBSERVATION CENTRES IN EASTERN CROATIA REINTEGRATED

( Editorial: --> 3245 ) ZAGREB, Jan 9 (Hina) - An agreement on the reintegration of observation and alert centres in Vukovar and Beli Manastir into the Croatian Defence Ministry was signed on Friday by Croatia's deputy defence minister and the UN transitional administrator for eastern Croatia. Croatia will as of January 15 take full control over the Danube river basin on its territory, ensuring protection to all of its citizens and the environment, in line with West European standards. The Defence Ministry said in a statement that current observation centres will be equipped with the most up-to-date alert systems and those for following the water level of the Danube, in line with commitments Croatia took upon signing international conventions. According to Deputy Defence Minister Lt. Gen. Kresimir Cosic, today's agreement was the last in a list the Croatian Government signed with the UNTAES to provide conditions for a full reintegration of the Danube river region of eastern Croatia into Croatia's legal and constitutional system. UN transitional administrator William Walker said today's agreement had come at the end of the UNTAES mandate and marked the last stage of the transfer of authority. The Croatian Defence Ministry had fully implemented the Croatian Government's commitment to achieve a proportionate representation of Croats and Serbs, as well as other ethnic minorities in the functioning of the system, said Walker. He added the UN believed a permanent compliance with obligations the Croatian Government had undertaken in agreements with the UNTAES was of utmost importance for a successful completion of the peaceful reintegration process. (hina) ha mm 091324 MET jan 98