CRO VICE PREMIER RADIC MEETS WITH SERB COMMUNITY REPS

ZAGREB, Aug 29 (Hina) - The course and continuation of the peaceful reintegration of the Danube region of eastern Croatia and the settling of current issues in its implementation were the topics of a meeting Croatian vice premier and president of the State Commission for the Croatian Danube Region Jure Radic held on Friday with representatives of the Serb ethnic community in Croatia, a statement from Radic's cabinet said. Both parties expressed satisfaction with the course of the reintegration so far, but pointed out the existence of problems which obstructed a speedier implementation. Many problems could be solved through direct contact between representatives of Croatian authorities and the Serb community in Croatia, they added. The generally insufficient functioning of newly elected local authorities was one issue discussed. It was concluded these authorities must start functioning, in line with their rights and responsibilities, by 1 September at the latest. Concerning a list of war criminals, Radic again pointed out there existed no additional, either public or secret, lists of suspects. It was concluded today the Amnesty Act must legally and technically be complied with. Vice premier Radic stressed the aim of Croatian authorities was that all Croatian citizens in Croatia may return to their homes. At today's meeting, both parties agreed in assessing that the return of Serbs from the Danubian area to other parts of Croatia was going on well. More than 5,000 have returned since an agreement on an organized return was signed. In relation to the reconstruction of houses of Serbs returning to their homes, it was concluded the international community should be requested to provide means to step up the reconstruction, the statement from Radic' cabinet said, adding what lay ahead was the important task of the return to the Croatian Danube region, which was becoming possible thanks to advanced reconstruction processes. The two parties today also concluded that direct talks could significantly help a speedier settling of issues in the reintegration process and the return of people to their homes. Present at the talks alongside Radic were the head of the government's office for displaced persons and refugees, Lovro Pejkovic, the director of the Agency for Trading Special Property, Ivica Vrkic, the head of the Centre for the Development of the Croatian Danube Region, Ivan Krstanovic, the vice premier's advisor, Mira Lenardic, parliament representatives Vojislav Stanimirovic, Milorad Pupovac, Jovan Bamburac, as well as Veljko Dzakula, Mirko Jagetic, Miroslav Keravica, Milos Vojnovic and Spiro Lazinica, the statement from vice premier Radic's cabinet concluded. (hina) ha 291936 MET aug 97