UNTAES' REFUSAL TO SUPPORT COMMEMORATION IN VUKOVAR GALLS ( Editorial: --> 1495 )

( Editorial: --> 1495 ) ZAGREB, Nov 17 (Hina) - Representatives of associations of Homeland War veterans and associations of families of the killed and the missing on Monday told reporters in Zagreb that the UNTAES denied support to a commemoration for killed Croatian defenders and civilians which should be held in Vukovar on 18 November, anniversary of the day when the town had been occupied. The representatives said they had been notified in a letter by Gerard Fischer, head of the UNTAES Civil Affairs, saying the UNTAES supported the part of the "About Vukovar In Vukovar" manifestation which concentrated on paths of peaceful reintegration but this should take place on a future occasion, Fischer wrote. A proposed programme forwarded to the UNTAES envisaged that some 1,500 people participate in an 18 November commemoration for the killed, to be followed by wreath-laying at the Novo Groblje Cemetery in Vukovar, and a mass to be served by military ordinary Juraj Jezerinac. The commemorative part of the programme was to be followed by a conference on peaceful reintegration called "About Vukovar In Vukovar". The president of the Homeland War Defenders-Volunteers Association, Branko Borkovic, said it was unprecedented in international relations for the international community, headed by the UN transitional administrator for the Danube river region of eastern Croatia, William Walker, and the head of the UNTAES Civil Affairs, Gerard Fischer, to impede the marking of the anniversary of the killing of Vukovar's defenders. Borkovic said he would contact the UN, the United States and the international public, as well as non-government organizations, in seeking assistance in protecting the rights of the families of the killed. Croatian defenders did not deserve such shameful behaviour, Borkovic said. 18 November 1991 was being repeated, he added, just like six years ago when the international community indifferently watched as wounded Croatian defenders and civilians ended in the Ovcara mass grave. It was still unknown where many had been buried, he said. (hina) ha jn 171925 MET nov 97