CROATIAN FOREIGN MINISTER RECEIVES DIPLOMATIC CORPS MEMBERS

ZAGREB, Jan 15 (Hina) - Croatian Foreign Minister Mate Granic on Wednesday received chiefs of diplomatic missions accredited in Zagreb, headed by dean of the diplomatic corps, Nuncio Msgr. Giulio Einaudi, and handed them the Letter of Intent of the Croatian government about the completion of the peaceful reintegration of eastern Slavonia, Baranja and western Srijem. Granic explained the letter to the members of the diplomatic corps, stressing the fact that the Letter, which is fully compliant with the Constitution and positive legislature of Croatia, had been forwarded to the UN Security Council on Tuesday, by which it had become an official document, a statement from the Croatian Foreign Ministry said. The Letter of Intent by the Croatian government was a result of extensive negotiations between President Tudjman and Transitional Administrator Jacques Klein, as well as of Croatian government efforts aimed at successfully concluding the peaceful reintegration of the Croatian Danube river region, Granic said. The Letter confirmed the holding of local elections in the Croatian Danube river region on 16 March, simultaneously with elections in other parts of Croatia, he said. The establishment of local authority based on electoral results within 30 days after elections was a basic precondition for the completion of the UNTAES mandate by 15 July 1997, within the time-limit envisaged by the UN Security Council Resolution 1079, Granic said. He also informed members of the diplomatic corps about the forthcoming foreign policy activities of Croatia. They expressed strong support for the Croatian government's Letter of Intent, describing it as a crucial step within the framework of activities so far in the process of reintegration of the Croatian Danubian area and as a significant move in the establishment of peace and stability in this part of Europe, the statement said. (hina) lm mm 151810 MET jan 97