OSCE CHAIRMAN SATISFIED WITH TALKS ON CRO ELECTORAL LAW CHANGES

ZAGREB, Nov 21 (Hina) - The chairman of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) on Saturday expressed on behalf of the European community satisfaction with a statement by the President of Croatia and its governing party that he was willing to hold talks with the opposition on changes to the electoral law. OSCE chairman, Polish Foreign Minister Bronislav Geremek, held talks with Croatian counterpart Mate Granic as part of bilateral meetings during a two-day summit of Central European Initiative countries in Zagreb. Geremek told reporters he was pleased with Croatian President Franjo Tudjman's announcement during yesterday's talks with European Union chairman Wolfgang Schuessel that the governing Croatian Democratic Union was willing to discuss possible changes to the Croatian electoral law with opposition parties. He believed the announcement was a good sign for the entire European community and hoped the OSCE mission to Croatia would be of assistance. The OSCE and EU proposed changes to the Croatian Electoral Law which relate to a special election list for the Croat diaspora, the media coverage of the election campaign, and a multi-party control of the election process. Croatian Foreign Minister Granic believed the OSCE mission would complete its mandate in Croatia by working with the government. "I believe Croatia is on the best path to conclude, together with the OSCE, that next year will be the termination of the OSCE mission," Granic told reporters. Geremek said he felt Croatia was making significant progress and that all were interested in Croatia's development. He believed Croatia would continue making efforts in view of legislation and human rights. It was now very important for Croatia to send off good signals, as its reputation was its card for the future, he said, adding he was pleased to see significant progress in practice. (hina) ha