TRANSITIONAL POLICE FORCE MEMBERS RECEIVE DIPLOMAS

ERDUT, June 20 (Hina) - Members of the Transitional Police Force (TPF) in the Croatian Danube region on Friday received diplomas after completing a two-month training course. Congratulating the 134 young men, deputy head of the TPF Ivan Babic told them that in protecting the rights and freedoms of citizens in eastern Croatia they would be required to be responsible, professional, polite and human. The establishment of the Transitional Police Force, which comprises members of all nationalities from the Croatian Danube region, is evidence of the possibility of co-existence even after the war, said the head of the Croatian Interior Ministry's Police Academy, Zdravko Barisic. "The education of future policemen is another important step towards reconciliation and the peaceful reintegration, but also a reflection of the Croatian Government's readiness to have a balanced make-up of the police force in this region", said UN's deputy transitional administrator for eastern Slavonia, Souren Seraydarian, and added that in performing their duty, TPF members must apply the highest standards of an unbiased and just attitude toward their work. Together with UNTAES, members of the Transitional Police Force must ensure that the highest number of displaced persons as possible return to their homes and live in peace, safety and dignity, Seraydarian concluded. (hina) ha 202019 MET jun 97