OSCE SATISFIED WITH PROGRESS OF PEACEFUL REINTEGRATION

VUKOVAR, Dec 11 (Hina) - The head of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe's coordinating centre in Vukovar, Pierre Peeters, expressed his satisfaction with the progress of the peaceful reintegration process in the Croatian Danube region. Speaking at a press conference in Vukovar on Friday, Peeters said that the the OSCE's priority for 1999 will be the question of return and the continuing implementation of peaceful reintegration. The OSCE will also continue to monitor Croatia's obligations towards the international community as well as the further democratisation of Croatia, he said. Peeters considered one of the significant successes of the OSCE mission to Croatia to be the stabilisation of the situation in the Croatian Danube region. A great deal of the deserves for this belongs to the Croatian police which, as Peeters said, has conducted its duties in the most professional manner. The OSCE, on October 15 replaced the UN Civil Police support group in the Croatian Danube region. Peeters called on citizens in the Danube region who are confronted with any problems to turn to the local police without any fear, as this was the police department's duty and the police is prepared to take action at all times. Commander of the OSCE police observers, Declan Brogan said that the number of incidents since October 15 has decreased considerably. Peeters expressed his satisfaction that the local Croatian Democratic Union representatives and their colleagues in Vukovar City Council from the Serbian Democratic Party had come to an agreement regarding controversial issues and with that making it possible for the Council to operate efficiently. (hina) sp