OSCE SATISFIED WITH COOPERATION FROM CROATIAN AUTHORITIES

( Editorial: --> 9345 ) SISAK, Sept 9 (Hina) - The head of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) coordination centre for central Croatia and western Slavonia on Wednesday said the OSCE was satisfied with cooperation from local and state authorities in the implementation of the government's refugee return programme. Local authorities are less reluctant in sharing information on the situation on the ground, OSCE's Carlo Ungaro told Hina. He assessed the security situation in central Croatia and western Slavonia as satisfactory. Ungaro was also satisfied with the establishment of a "more transparent" cooperation with local authorities and police in the functioning of housing commissions in refugee return areas, and in the return of property. Croatia's future calls for a democratic environment which, Ungaro said, could be achieved through an effective implementation of undertaken commitments and the establishment of western values. It is a long and difficult process, Ungaro said, but assessed the rise of this political conscience in Croatia was evident. He wished for a different public attitude towards international organisations which, he said, though sometimes critical, protect Croatia's interests. (hina) ha 092312 MET sep 98