UN SECRETARY-GENERAL SUBMITS REPORT ON LAST MONTH OF UNTAES

( Editorial: --> 7679 ) WASHINGTON, Jan 28 (Hina) - The UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said on Tuesday that in the last month of the UNTAES mandate significant progress had been achieved in the reintegration of the Croatian Danube river region, but important steps need to be taken on key issues such a property issues, tenants' rights, financing of the Joint Council of (Serb) Municipalities and the full implementation of the Amnesty Law. The Croatian government had showed commendable energy and commitment in the implementation of its comprehensive programme of national reconciliation, Annan said in his latest report on UNTAES to the UN Security Council in New York. Annan recalled that the Croatian President Franjo Tudjman had at the ceremony marking the end of the UNTAES mandate confirmed the intention of the Croatian government to fulfil its commitments and not to let extremist elements to undermine achievements of the UNTAES. Key factors in consolidating these achievements were the decisiveness of the authorities in the protection of the rights of all minorities in line with the adopted international standards, the revival of the economy and creation of equal opportunities for all citizens of Croatia. Annan said the national media had shown a more constructive and reconciling side in their coverage of the Serb minority, adding that equally encouraging were messages of tolerance and reconciliation among political and religious leaders. Local committees for reconciliation were usually concentrated on technical issues of return and were putting aside reconciliation tasks, so a powerful support by central authorities and being included in the reconciliation process continue to be important, Annan said in his report. The possibility of educational and cultural autonomy, such as had been guaranteed by Croatian laws and the Croatian government Letter of 13 January 1997, would primarily define the will of the Serb citizens whether to stay and establish to what extent Croatia was committed to international standards of minority rights. Insufficient progress in solving property issues, tenants' rights, the financing of the Joint Council of Municipalities, and the implementation of the Amnesty Law could have serious consequences, Annan said. Although the number of people leaving the region had so far been significantly less than forecast, most of those leaving the region were Serb displaced persons with unresolved property issues to which the Croatian government had not responded, he said. The number of submitted reports on the abuse of Serbs continued to cause concern, he said, adding that Serbs were subject to increased threats forcing them to leave Croatian houses, and equally concerning were reports of unprofessional actions of certain police officers. Annan reminded the Security Council that the support of the international community would be an important element which would supplement the efforts of the Croatian government. The international community would have the key role in maintaining the progress, Annan said, suggesting that the Security Council request of OSCE reports on the development of events. Annan expressed his commitment to, thought UN agencies in Croatia, report periodically about the situation in the region. (hina) lm jn 281148 MET jan 98