GULDIMANN: CROATIA RESPECTS RIGHTS OF SERBS IN DANUBE RIVER REGION

( Editorial: --> 4769 ) VIENNA, Jan 15 (Hina)- Speaking on Thursday at a press briefing in Vienna, head of the OSCE mission in Croatia Tim Guldimann said that Croatia integrated its Danube River region by peaceful means and through cooperation with the international community. He described this as a great accomplishment for Croatia, the international community, UNTAES and peace in the entire region. Guldimann used the opportunity to commend Croatia for its constructive approach to the return of refugees and respect for the human rights of local Serbs in the Danube region. Guldimann said that during the past three months Croatia took its obligations in "a new and very constructive way", but that there were still problems at the local level. Regarding that, in his report to the OSCE's Permanent Council, Guldimann stressed that he had been informed by Croatian Deputy Prime Minister Ljerka Mintas-Hodak and Foreign Minister Mate Granic that the contentious provisions of the property law and the Law on temporary take-over and management of property will be changed. In Croatia the OSCE will be focusing on monitoring of the process of return and will actively lobby with the international community to help Croatia, especially in demining and economic revival of the reintegrated areas, said Guldimann. Guldimann's report, presented during Thursday's session of the OSCE's Permanent Council, assessed that Croatia made major steps towards the respect of human and minority rights, and was supported by the largest members of that international organisation, including the United States, Russia and Great Britain, who did it on the behalf of the European Union. (Hina) mm mr 152002 MET jan 98