UNTAES MANDATE'S FINAL PHASE STARTS BY DEPARTURE OF 1,700 TROOPS - GRA

GRA $ NIC KLISA, Oct 18 (Hina) - The departure of 1,700 UNTAES troops from Croatia's Danube river region marked the beginning of the final phase of the UNTAES mission in Croatia, Croatian Foreign Minister Mate Granic said at Osijek's airport on Saturday. "Croatia is doing and will do everything for the success of this mission and it is our wish that this be the most successful mission of the United Nations," Granic said. Further tasks in the process of peaceful reintegration of the Croatian Danubian area is the "full functioning of the local self- government, return of all displaced persons and refugees and consolidating measures of trust," he said. Asked whether 15 January was the final date for the completion of the UNTAES mandate, Granic said, "We consider this to be a realistic date and we will do everything on our side for it to be respected. We are sure that 15 January of next year is the mutual goal of Croatia and the United Nations and we are firmly convinced that we will respect that date". UN Transitional Administrator William Walker said that the tasks of two-way return of displaced persons, reconciliation and adequate functioning of the police force after the departure of UNTAES had to be fulfilled before the end of the mandate. He expressed hope that he would be able to include in his next report to the UN Secretary-General that the UNTAES mission had been successfully completed and UNTAES could return home. Walker reiterated that the full transition of executive power onto Croatia depended on the decision of the UN Security Council on whether Croatia has fully fulfilled its obligations towards the international community. (HINA) LM 182010 MET oct 97