CROATIA HAILS STATEMENTS ON SUCCESSFUL UNTAES MANDATE COMPLETION ( Editorial: --> 2703 )

( Editorial: --> 2703 ) ZAGREB, Nov 21 (Hina) - A Croatian government spokesman told reporters in Zagreb on Friday that Croatia was ready to summon a group of UN observers into the Croatian Danube river region after the departure of the UNTAES. Head of the government's Communications Office, Neven Jurica, also expressed satisfaction about statements by international community representatives on the successful completion of the UNTAES mandate on 15 January 1998. This model of peaceful reintegration of the Danubian area, initiated by the Croatian government, was one of the most successful UN operations, which gave the UNTAES wider international significance, Jurica said. "In order to further determine the credibility and transparency of Croatian politics and the Trust Establishment Programme after the departure of the UNTAES, we are ready to forward an invitation to the UN to send a group of civilian police officers, about 150 of them, in the Danubian area for several months after the expiry of the mandate," Jurica said. As of 15 January next year, the whole UN-administered region is to end the two-year transitional period, and the Croatian government is to become the one and only executive authority in the Danubian area, Jurica said. The Trust Establishment Programme is a permanent solution, Jurica said, stressing that the government would work on the implementation of its programmes even after the UNTAES's departure. He announced that Croatian Prime Minister Zlatko Matesa would take part in a summit of government leaders of Central European Initiative countries which is to take place in Sarajevo at the end of the month. Croatia would preside the Central European Initiative for a year as of 1 January 1998, he added. (hina) lm jn 211537 MET nov 97