ARTICLE 11 COMMISSION SUPPORTS GOVT'S ACTIONS IN E. CROATIA

( Editorial: --> 6859 ) ZAGREB, Jan 23 (Hina) - A commission established in line with Article 11 of the Basic Agreement on Eastern Slavonia, Baranja and Western Sirmium, known as the Erdut Agreement, Friday expressed their appreciation to UNTAES personnel, Croatian authorities and local Serb representatives for their contribution to the implementation of the peaceful reintegration of eastern Croatia. The commission expressed concern over certain recent events, and fully supported the steps taken by the Croatian Government to the effect of maintaining stability in eastern Croatia. After a Friday meeting at the United Sates Embassy in Zagreb, the commission issued a statement saying the civilian and military personnel of UNTAES, Croatian authorities and Serb representatives from the Danubian region had made a positive contribution to creating conditions that permitted the conclusion of the UNTAES mandate. Members of the commission stressed their permanent commitment to ensuring full implementation of the Erdut Agreement, stressing in particular the importance of applying the agreement's provisions related to the respect of human and civil rights. The commission expressed great concern that certain events, like threats, harassments and evictions, could jeopardise the continuation of the peaceful reintegration of eastern Croatia, and in that regard fully supported the efforts of the Croatian Government to maintain stability in the region. The statement said the commission noted in particular the specific actions the Government had undertaken to avoid evictions. The commission, which includes representatives of interested countries and organisations and whose task, according to the Basic Agreement, is to supervise its implementation, expressed full support to the mission in Croatia of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe. It was agreed to hold regular consultations during the course of its mandate. Members of the commission promised their support to all other international organisations, such as the UNHCR and the UN, in their missions throughout Croatia. The commission decided to visit the Croatian Danubian region on 16 February to assess what has been achieved one month after the end of the UNTAES mandate. Attending today's meeting were former UN transitional administrator for eastern Croatia William Walker, head of the OSCE mission in Croatia Tim Guldimann, head of the UNHCR mission Robert Robinson, and the representative of the UN Secretary General, Souren Seraydarian. The Article 11 Commission is composed of ambassadors or high representatives of member-countries of the Contact group, of the UN Security Council, of countries which took part in the UNTAES, and mission heads of international organisations which were or are active in eastern Croatia. (hina) ha jn 232206 MET jan 98