COUNCIL OF JOINT MUNICIPALITIES: POSITION OF CROATIAN SERBS DIFFICULT

( Editorial: --> 2411 ) VUKOVAR, Aug 7 (Hina) - The Joint Council of (Serb majority) Municipalities (ZVO) has expressed dissatisfaction with its status and it believes that a legal act regulating its status and securing a permanent source for its financing should be adopted as soon as possible, ZVO president Milos Vojnovic said at a session in Vukovar on Friday. The Croatian state has so far set aside US$125,000 from the budget for the ZVO, Vojnovic said. The last salary paid for May amounted to about US$150, he said. The ZVO also adopted a proposal for the Council to be reorganised - the most important change being the reduction of employees and volunteer positions for committee presidents. The ZVO also discussed the current position of Serbs in Croatia. It was concluded that questions concerning the school system, judiciary, cultural autonomy, amnesty and the Law Adjustment Act remained open. The National Trust Establishment Committee has ceased to function, ZVO members said. Serb citizens still feel considerable insecurity because of continual threats and the failure of the Croatian Government to fulfil the commitments it had taken over. During May and June this year, 400 Serb families left the Croatian Danube River region and departures continue, ZVO officials said, requesting a meeting with Croatian President Franjo Tudjman as soon as possible. Today's session was also attended by the Serb Democratic Independent Party (SDSS) president Vojislav Stanimirovic, Serb People's Council (SNV) president Milorad Pupovac and international representatives. (hina) rml /mbr , 071822 MET aug 98