REINTEGRATED JUDICIAL BODIES START FUNCTIONING IN CRO DANUBE AREA

ZAGREB, Oct 13 (Hina) - Croatian Justice Ministry said on Monday that judicial bodies in the Croatian Danube river area have began functioning in their seats in the area, according to a declaration on the reintegration of the judiciary. According to the ministry's statement, all individuals and legal persons may enjoy the protection of their rights exclusively before Croatia's judicial bodies at their seats in the Danube area. The statement recalled that the declaration on the conditions for the reintegration of the judiciary in the Danube area was signed on 30 September 1997 and that in line with the declaration the Justice Minister decided for the municipal courts and municipal offices of public attorneys to return from their temporary bases in Osijek and Zagreb to the Danube area. The Minister also ordered that Vukovar's county court and county office of the public attorney should begin work in Vukovar on 9 October 1997. On 8 and 9 October 1997, the facilities, files, documents records and other sorts of documentation were taken over and Croatia's inscriptions, coat of arms and flags were put on buildings of the judicial bodies in the area, in the presence of representatives of the Justice Ministry, local judicial authorities and UN Transitional Administration for eastern Slavonia (UNTAES). The ministry underscored that it was fulfilling all other commitments under the declaration. It would also take necessary measures, in co-operation with UNTAES, to help Croatian judicial bodies in the Danube area to act fully in compliance with the Croatian Constitution and laws, the statement read. (hina) jn mš 132046 MET oct 97