CROATIA SAYS ASSURANCES GIVEN UNTAES MANDATE ENDS JAN. 15 ( Editorial: --> 2801 )

( Editorial: --> 2801 ) ZAGREB, Nov 21 (Hina) - Croatia said on Friday it had won firm assurances that the mandate of the UN Transitional Administration (UNTAES) in its eastern Danube river region would terminate on January 15 next year. "In several recent meetings between Croatian President Franjo Tudjman and UN Transitional Administrator William Walker, as well as in letters exchanged by Croatian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mate Granic and UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, the Republic of Croatia has won firm assurances that the UNTAES mandate will end on January 15, 1998," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement. "This fully shows that the process of peaceful reintegration of the Croatian Danube region into the constitutional and legal system of the Republic of Croatia has been carried out thanks to the constructive policies and efforts of the Government of the Republic of Croatia and its cooperation with UNTAES, which was first led by Mr Jacques-Paul Klein and in the final stage by Mr William Walker, together with the efforts and contribution of local Croatian and Serb officials. "Regarding the successful completion of the UNTAES mission, Croatia has launched an initiative during mutual talks that it would be advisable that a UN Civil Police Support Group remain in the Danube region after January 15, 1998 because of possible individual incidents and provocations, and attempts to blame such unacceptable acts on the Croatian side. "Although we guarantee a stability in the Croatian Danube region, we believe that an observer presence could be useful and at the same time it would also be a clear message to all extremists to refrain from obstructing the completion of peaceful reintegration. "We are confident that the presence of the UN Civil Police Support Group should be based on a single term of office, not longer than nine months, considering the return of population and displaced persons at the time of the end of the mandate and the beginning of a new school year, with the possibility of an earlier departure. "With this initiative and agreements with the UN Secretary- General, the Government of the Republic of Croatia confirms the continuity of its peacemaking policy to the satisfaction and benefit of all of its citizens and the role of a constructive factor in the region, and expects that the UN Security Council will appreciate such a role of Croatia and reaffirm the fact that the reintegration process has been successfully completed, which is a contribution to peace and security." (hina) vm 211923 MET nov 97