KLISA, Oct 18 (Hina) - A farewell ceremony was held at the Osijek airport on Saturday, as 1,700 UNTAES military troops leave Croatia for the second phase of withdrawal of the UN Transitional Administration from the Croatian Danube
river region. After the troops from Belgium, Russian Federation, Ukraine, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland leave the area, about 720 members of the UNTAES military component are to remain in the Danubian area.
KLISA, Oct 18 (Hina) - A farewell ceremony was held at the Osijek
airport on Saturday, as 1,700 UNTAES military troops leave Croatia
for the second phase of withdrawal of the UN Transitional
Administration from the Croatian Danube river region.
After the troops from Belgium, Russian Federation, Ukraine,
Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland leave the area, about 720
members of the UNTAES military component are to remain in the
Danubian area. #L#
UNTAES commander General Willy Hanset said that UNTAES would
not have been enabled to fulfil all their tasks in the peace keeping
operation without strong military support.
He stressed that the operative role of the military component
was complete and the Transitional Police Force, under the
supervision of the UN civilian police, would be in charge of the
security of the region.
Croatian Foreign Minister Mate Granic said the departure of
the 1,700 troops after an honourably and professionally delivered
task was the "proof that the peaceful reintegration is proceeding
according to plan and envisioned deadlines and is the confirmation
of a growing stability and security of this part of Croatia which is
ceasing to be a principal seat of crisis".
On behalf of Croatian President and Prime Minister, Granic
thanked the UNTAES troops for their commitment and professional
fulfilment of their tasks, the former and present UN Transitional
Administrators, Jacques Klein and William Walker for their efforts
and the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan "under whose experienced
leadership this global organisation played its big and important
peace-keeping role in this part of the world".
"I believe that UNTAES will successfully complete its mission
in Croatia and that it will remain registered as one of the most
successful missions in the history of the UN," Granic said,
stressing the determination of the Croatian government to fulfil
all its commitments regarding the peaceful reintegration of the
Danubian area, especially when it comes to the establishment of
trust, effective functioning of the local self-government and the
return of all displaced persons and refugees to their homes.
"Croatia firmly stands behind its obligations, but expects no
less from other participants of the peace process. We are prepared
to exert all necessary effort so UNTAES may lower its flag in the
Danubian area on 15 January," Granic said.
Speaking about the importance of the role of the UNTAES
military component, Transitional Administrator for eastern Slavonia,
Baranja and western Srijem, William Walker, recalled their
contribution to the demilitarisation of the Danube region,
implementation of the programme of arms buy-off and mine clearing,
and the creation of safety conditions for the holding of the local
and presidential elections in the region.
Thanking the troops leaving the Danubian area after 19 months
for their exemplary work, Walker pointed out their contribution to
the promotion of peace and reconciliation in the region.
The safety of the residents of the area, as well as displaced
persons contemplating to return was of the highest interest of the
United Nations and his personal, Walker said, adding that UNTAES
would double their efforts to professionalise and improve the
efficiency of the Transitional Police in the forthcoming months.
If the Croatian government, UNTAES and leaders of ethnic
communities in this region cooperate in a positive and constructive
manner, I am sure that the final report of the Secretary General to
the UN Security Council will discuss the successful completion of
the UNTAES mandate, Walker said.
Besides Hanset, Walker and Granic, the ceremony was attended
by Assistant Interior Minister Josko Moric, Deputy President's
Office Chief-of-Staff Vesna Skare-Ozbolt, deputy speakers of the
Croatian Parliament, Vladimir Seks and Zarko Domljan, Croatian army
Chief-of-Staff Lt. Gen. Pavao Miljavac, director of the Croatian
government Agency for Facilitating Real Estate Transactions, Ivica
Vrkic, US Ambassador to Croatia, Peter Galbraith, officials of the
Djakovo Croatian army district, officials of the Vukovar-Srijem and
Osijek-Baranja counties, and of the Joint Council of Municipalities
of eastern Slavonia, Baranja and western Srijem.
(hina) lm
181946 MET oct 97