CROATIA TO PRESIDE DANUBE BASIN COUNTRIES COMMUNITY IN 2000

( Editorial: --> 1430 ) ZAGREB, Sept 18 (Hina) - The Working Community of Danube River Basin Countries on Friday decided that Croatia will preside over the organisation in 2000, the Croatian Immigration Ministry said in a statement. Croatia is greatly interested in cooperation with countries in the Danube river basin, Immigration Minister Marijan Petrovic told the ninth Community conference, held in Pamhagen, Austria. Danube river basin countries are directed towards mutual cooperation, integration and the respect of human rights, conference chairman Karl Stix said, adding this work contributed to the European Union cooperating with non-member countries. The Yugoslav government suggested the establishment of a coordinator for transport down the Danube and requested this position for itself. The suggestion has not been accepted yet. Croatia suggested, and the conference okayed, that a decision on the matter be postponed until working bodies and commissions issue their statements. Petrovic also spoke about reconstruction in the Danube river region in eastern Croatia and the construction of a canal between the Danube and Croatia's largest river, the Sava, which will enable connection between continental Croatia and its coast. (hina) ha jn/mbr 181823 MET sep 98