WALKER MEETS ORTHODOX PRIESTS FROM DANUBE REGION ( Editorial: --> 2138 )

( Editorial: --> 2138 ) VUKOVAR, Nov 19 (Hina) - An UNTAES-organized meeting was held in Vukovar on Wednesday between Orthodox priests from the Danube river region of eastern Croatia and UN and state officials. Thirty-five Orthodox priests met UN transitional administrator for the area William Walker, head of the UNTAES Civil Affairs Gerard Fischer, and the chairwoman of the Croatian National Committee for the restoration of inter-ethnic trust, Vesna Skare-Ozbolt, and her two deputies, Ivica Vrkic and Vojislav Stanimirovic. The meeting was important and useful, Fischer said afterwards, adding that Orthodox priests voiced "concern over the situation in the region". Stanimirovic said the concern referred to issues related to the issuance of documents and the withdrawal of the UNTAES. Asked if Orthodox priests would try to influence Serb residents of several villages in eastern Croatia, who had announced they would leave the country, Stanimirovic said the following: "We have been assured by Orthodox bishops that they would influence Serbs to stay (...) but we don't know how it will work on the ground. If the priests assist, and if we visit the villages which people might leave, I think we will make a step for the better." Speaking about today's meeting, Vrkic confirmed that the priests had announced the departure of Serbs from some villages. "With our authority, we have warned about the fact that this is the Croatian state, a free and democratic homeland of all people who live in it, and that there is no cause for fear. Our goal is to ensure stability and peace in these areas, as well as social security for all citizens", Vrkic said. (hina) ha 191903 MET nov 97