GRANIC RECEIVES U.N. UNDERSECRETARY FOR PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS

ZAGREB, Oct 9 (Hina) - Croatian Foreign Minister Mate Granic on Thursday received UN Under-secretary for Peacekeeping Operations Hedi Annabi, a Foreign Ministry statement said, Granic and Annabi exchanged views on the latest report by the UN Secretary-General and a presidential statement of the Security Council which is expected to be adopted early next week. The UN Transitional Administrator of the Croatian Danube region, William Walker, was expected to address a Security Council session on Thursday on the process of peaceful reintegration of the region into Croatia. Granic expressed hope that the presidential statement would take note of the latest measures undertaken by the Croatian government and parliament, including a report on the implementation of the government's letter of intent and a programme aimed at restoring inter-ethnic trust, accelerating refugee returns and normalising life in the war-affected areas. Annabi expressed satisfaction with the latest actions by the Croatian government and parliament to complete the peaceful reintegration of the Danube region, noting that Croatia should continue to follow that path. Annabi added that additional efforts should be made to ensure successful and timely completion of the UNTAES mandate in the region on January 15 next year, which he said was a common goal of the United Nations and the Republic of Croatia, the statement concluded. (hina) vm 091346 MET oct 97