VEHICLE REGISTRATION UNDER CRO LAW IN CRO DANUBE REGION BEGINS

VUKOVAR, June 4 (Hina) - Vehicle registration in the Croatian Danube region under Croatian regulations began on Wednesday, UNTAES spokesman Philip Arnold confirmed. According to a UNTAES Tuesday statement, in order to register their vehicles, residents of the Croatian Danube region must submit their Croatian Identity Card and proof of vehicle ownership. In line with agreed rules explained in the said statement, vehicles will be registered under Croatian regulations and under the auspices of the Croatia Autocenter located in Vukovar and Beli Manastir. Residents of the Croatian Danube region will have reductions with vehicle registration until 1 September 1997, while no custom fee will be charged on vehicles purchased until 1 June 1997. During registration, Croatian driving licenses will be issued, but vehicle owners will be permitted to keep their old license plates and driving licenses to travel to and from the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia until 31 December 1997. According to a UNTAES public relations employee, Hans Lassen, UNTAES estimates there are about 19,000 vehicles which should receive Croatian license plates in the UN-administered area. The introduction of Croatian Vehicle Registration in the UNTAES Region was, according to UNTAES' statement "a significant step in the progressive integration of the Region into Croatia, permitting residents with Croatian license plates to travel throughout Croatia, and permitting other vehicles, exhibiting UNTAES-approved car passes to enter the Region, initially for business and professional purposes." "The Croatian Government has waived annual registration, road tax, and inspection fees for Regional residents who register their vehicles before 1 September 1997. In addition, residents of the UNTAES Region who register their vehicles prior to this date can purchase a half-price six-month insurance policy", the statement added. (hina) ha jn 041252 MET jun 97