CRO VICE-PREMIER AND OSCE CHIEF HOLD TALKS

( Editorial: --> 3255 ) ZAGREB, Feb 19 (Hina) - Croatian Vice Premier Ljerka Mintas Hodak on Thursday received that mission chief of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Tim Guldimann, who introduced his deputy Victor Thompset. Guldimann had advocated an acceleration in the process of the two- way return of displaced persons and refugees, while Hodak had stressed that models of return were being discussed by a joint working group which also includes OSCE representatives in line with the established programme and the principle of non-discrimination, a Croatian government statement said on Thursday. Mutual endeavours in finding a solution to the problem of two-way return and of the legal framework within which they should be solved have also been confirmed. Hodak relayed criticism to parts of the most recent OSCE report which concern the Croatian education system. OSCE representatives acknowledged the criticism and announced that it would be considered and resolved in the next report. Guldimann also spoke about meetings he had held in Brussels recently, and announced his next visit during which he will meet with NATO Secretary-General Javier Solana and representatives of the European Union Troika. OSCE representatives suggested that the Council of Europe send a team of experts who would make recommendations about expediting the process of democratisation of the media in Croatia. (hina) lm jn 191957 MET feb 98