UN TURNS OVER POLICE OBSERVER MISSION IN EASTERN CROATIA TO OSCE

( Editorial: --> 8736 ) VUKOVAR, Oct 15 (Hina) - An observing Mission of the UN Police Support Group (UNPSG) in the Danube River Region in eastern Croatia finished on Thursday after nine months of operating, and its duties were taken by 120 observers of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) mission to Croatia. The take over ceremony took place on Thursday afternoon in "Dunav" hotel in Vukovar. In attendance were UN Secretary-General special envoy and UNPSG head Souren Seraydarian, the head of the OSCE mission to Croatia Tim Guldimann, other international representatives, as well as representatives of the Croatian Government and Interior Ministry, led by Tomislav Vidosevic, head of the Government's Office for cooperation with OSCE, and Zlatko Godec, Deputy Interior Minister, and representatives of local authorities. The UNPSG successfully finished its mandate in the Croatian Danube River Region, which started on January 15, 1998, Seraydarian said. The reintegration of both the people living in the Danubian region during the war and those who came back started only when many administrative and technical aspects of reintegration had been finished. Recognising that fact, the Croatian Government asked the UN to supervise the Croatian police performance in the area, said Seraydarian. That request has shown that the Government has accepted its obligations towards the implementation of non-discriminatory politics. During the nine months of the UN police observation mandate, the security situation has improved, and the capability of local police to successfully respond to complains has been improving continually, said Seraydarian. He thanked the Interior Ministry employees whose dedication to a multiethnic police force in the area and close cooperation with the UN had greatly contributed to the success of the UNPSG and local police. The final responsibility for reconstruction of the area, the establishment of civil society, and taking Croatia into the wider European community lies with the Croatian Government and Croatian citizens, Seraydarian said. It is necessary for the Croatian Government to proceeds with the progress. If this is done, Croatia can be an example of how a war- ravaged society can resume pursuing unity, prosperity and security, he concluded. OSCE mission head Guldiman said that war crimes must be punished, regardless of where they had been committed. He stressed guilt was always only individual, not collective. Guldiman welcomed 120 OSCE observers who came to eastern Croatia from 16 OSCE member-countries. UNPSG commander Halvor Hartz and OSCE police component commander Declan Brogen marked the completion of the UNPSG mission with a symbolic gift exchange. The UNSPG duties are to be taken over by the OSCE mission's two completely separated components - civil and police. The mandate of the UNPSG in the Croatian Danube River Region started on January 15, 1998 with 180 observers from 20 countries. During August and September due to improved security conditions, the number of the observers has been reduced to 118. The OSCE mission's observer mandate is part of the overall OSCE's mandate in Croatia, expiring on December 31, 1998. (hina) it jn/ha 152052 MET oct 98