IDENTIFICATION OF 20 VICTIMS EXHUMED IN BARANJA BEGINS

( Editorial: --> 7272 ) OSIJEK, April 16 (Hina) - Osijek Clinical Hospital's forensics department on Thursday began the identification of 20 bodies exhumed from the eastern Croatian region of Baranja. Eighteen victims were exhumed from the Catholic cemetery in Beli Manastir and one in Torjanci on Wednesday, while another victim was exhumed in Lug on Thursday. Identification is expected to be completed on Friday. Eleven families have been called into the identification process because it is believed the killed are their immediate kin, Ilija Kuna of the Government Commission for Imprisoned and Missing Persons said. Most of the victims exhumed are civilians and elderly people, killed in Baranja during 1991 and 1992. "We expect more work in Baranja, because it is believed there are many mass graves there" Commissioner Kuna said, adding exhumations would start soon in Darda and Bilje. Stefica Krstic, president of the Association of Families of Imprisoned and Missing Croatian Defenders of Osijek-Baranja County, said her organisation was still looking for 215 people. Up to now 90 victims had been exhumed and 67 identified, she said. Krstic appealed to local Serbs who had lived in the region throughout the war and during its control under UN administration to actively help in giving information on locations containing mass or individual graves. Protection for information given in confidence was guaranteed. It was important for families searching for their dear ones to know the truth "no matter how hurtful it may be", Krstic said. She called on international associations to actively help in finding missing people. (Hina) mm mb /rm 161800 MET apr 98