OSCE & GOVT REPS DISCUSS COOPERATION IN CLOSED MEETING IN KNIN

( Editorial: --> 1816 ) KNIN, Aug 5 (Hina) - Cooperation between the Croatian Government and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) was discussed in a meeting held behind closed doors in Knin on Tuesday. Prime Minister Zlatko Matesa initiated the meeting and the two delegations were lead by the government's Office for Cooperation with the OSCE head Tomislav Vidosevic and OSCE mission to Croatia first deputy head Ambassador Victor Tomseth. Following the meeting, Vidosevic and Tomseth told reporters they were satisfied with the success of the talks. Tomseth said the OSCE wanted to help Croatia in achieving its aims, and that for this it was necessary for OSCE members to be capable of working in cooperation with everyone - from the government to local authorities. In Knin we have an excellent base for such cooperation, given the fact that we both are faced with the many problems which Croatia confronts, he assessed. Tomseth said the OSCE was aware that some people in Croatia believed it did not give equal attention to all ethnic groups. We discussed this and I assure you that we understand the concerns and problems of both sides in Knin. Our aim is to be fair and to understand the problems of everyone, Tomseth said. We are aware of the fact that the Croats from Bosnia-Herzegovina who have moved to Knin do not want to return and those people need help, and we will enable all people to live where they choose to. We need to help Croats from BH who have property there to sell their assets at favourable prices, Tomseth said. He said he was for the return of refugees who fled Croatia during its military operation Storm of summer 1995, but also for the remaining of people who were already there, which was important for economic development. The key is an economic shift and the OSCE will help to find those who can help kick-start the economy in this part of Croatia, Tomseth said. Vidosevic said the aim of the meeting was to be convinced that the cooperation of representatives from the Sibenik County and the Town of Knin with the OSCE was at a satisfactory level. He said the Croatian Government had always enjoyed good cooperation with the OSCE and there was no reason this could not be the same at the local level. The government is always looking for a long-term resolution to the problems of Croats from BH, and it is satisfying to see that the OSCE and all the other international organisations in Knin are now doing this, Vidosevic said. He noted that a big shift had been made because at the meeting it was assessed that the concerns of the Croatian Government and international organisations had to be the same for all Croatian citizens. Vidosevic said also discussed at the meeting was a forthcoming conference in which there would be word on the implementation of the return programme and on preparations for the international conference on reconstruction, which should be held in autumn in Croatia. (Hina) mbr 051222 MET aug 98