COUNCIL OF EUROPE REPS MEET MEDIA REPS & RECONSTRUCTION MINISTER

ZAGREB, Nov 13 (Hina) - A Council of Europe delegation visiting Croatia to check Croatia's compliance with obligations undertaken upon admission to the Council on Friday held talks with representatives of Croatian media and discussed problems faced by the media and journalists. The delegation also met with Croatian Reconstruction and Development Minister Jure Radic for talks on problems related to the return of refugees and displaced persons. The talks with reporters focused on the situation on Croatian Radio-Television, the privatisation of its third channel, current court proceedings against journalists, and financial difficulties of independent press. Council of Europe delegation members Jerzy Jaskiernia and Maria Stoyanova declined to speak about standpoints stated during the talks, explaining they would be outlined in a January report. The talks with Minister Radic tackled difficulties faced by housing commissions, which are in charge of resolving housing issues in Croatia's refugee and displaced person return areas, and problems related to the implementation of a government return programme. According to Jaskiernia, the talks were very consistent and open. "I presented basic data and said the in the reconstruction programme we are half-way (to completion)," said Radic. (hina) ha jn