CROATIAN SERB REPS JUDGE UNTAES MANDATE A SUCCESS

( Editorial: --> 4197 ) VUKOVAR, 13 Jan (Hina) - The mandate of the U.N. Transitional Administration in Eastern Slavonia (UNTAES) is a success, Croatian Serb minority leaders said on Tuesday, calling on Serbs from the Croatian Danube river region to remain in Croatia. Leaders of the Serb People's Council (SNV), Serb Democratic Independent Party (SDSS), Joint Council of (Serb-dominated) Municipalities (ZVO) and Serb Democratic Forum (SDF) held a meeting behind closed doors in Vukovar today. They told reporters after the meeting that the UNTAES mission was one of the most successful U.N. peace missions. However, they added, some obligations from the Erdut Agreement have not been completely fulfilled and the international community would have to implement them in the next period, they said. After 15 January, there will be no changes in the Croatian government policy, especially not the negative ones, said ZVO President Milos Vojinovic, calling on Serbs to remain in the Danube river region and exercise their rights in a democratic way. Vojinovic's opinion was supported by SNV President Milorad Pupovac, who said that in case incidents happened, Serb representatives would strongly demand their prevention. The Croatian government would strongly react to possible incidents as well, he added. Serb leaders supported the two-way return to empty houses in Croatia, said SDSS President Vojislav Stanimirovic. People who have their own homes should leave the houses they are occupying so that real owners could return, he added. Asked about the return of Croatian Serb refugees from Yugoslavia, Pupovac said that Croatian government offices should be opened in Yugoslavia and Republika Srpska. The offices would issue Croatian documents to those who want to return to Croatia, he said. Speaking about tenancy rights of those persons who left their flats in 1991, Pupovac said that 'that right is unquestionable". President Tudjman had personally confirmed that view during his meeting with Serb representatives on December 6 last year, Pupovac added. (hina) mm rm 131911 MET jan 98