ANNAN'S REPORT IS FAVOURABLE FOR CROATIA - SIMONOVIC

( Editorial: --> 6412 ) WASHINGTON, Dec 6 (Hina) - Croatian Ambassador at the UN, Ivan Simonovic, on Saturday described the report by UN Secretary- General, Kofi Annan, suggesting the termination of the mandate of the UN Transitional Administration for Eastern Slavonia, Baranja and Western Srijem (UNTAES), by the beginning of next year, as favourable for Croatia. The Secretary-General's report is clear, unequivocal and favourable for Croatia, Simonovic said. Annan specifically suggested to the UN Security Council that the UNTAES mandate be completed by 15 January 1998, after which Croatian authorities should fully take over operational control in the Croatian Danube river region. Annan also hailed and fully supported the proposition and conditions by the Croatian government that a support group be established, whose 180 members would remain in the Croatian Danube river region for up to nine months, if this suggestion is accepted by the UN Security Council. Their mandate will be exclusivelly of the monitoring kind, without any administrative responsibilities. It is precisely this Croatian suggestion pointing to openness, responsibility and good intentions, which has contributed to the positive tone of the report and to the explicit suggestion of the Secretary-General for the termination of the UNTAES mandate, Simonovic said. Annan accentuated successes in the reintegration achieved in the past several months and spoke about a significant progress in Croatia's cooperation and results visible in all key areas. He gave special significance to the government's reconciliation programme whose successful implementation, after the departure of UNTAES, he considered as a key to the successful completion of the peaceful reintegration. Annan called on the Croatian government to ensure an adequate quality of living to all its citizens as soon as possible, stressing the necessity for social welfare, especially in winter conditions, the reintegration of health institutions, the resolution of problems in education and further promotion of the functioning of the local government. The two-way return of displaced persons is being implemented successfully, but additional efforts need to be invested. The report especially stressed that after the termination of the UNTAES, full responsibility for the successful completion of the reintegration process will be handed over to the Croatian authorities. We expect the Security Council to also support the Secretary- General's assessment that the Republic of Croatia is completely prepared for this big step which overcomes the remaining consequences of aggression and occupation, the Croatian Ambassador said. Croatia has long and patiently awaited to resolve the remaining problems in the Danubian area independently, with full authority, but also with responsibility. If Croatia justifies the trust shown to it by this report, and, we believe, by the Security Council's resolution, its international position will be consolidated and the way towards Western associations and defense unions will be opened to it. If the Security Council accepts Annan's recommendations, which we can expect with reason, Croatia will be independent in the realisation of the remaining tasks concerning the peaceful reintegration, but it will also be closely scrutinised by the Croatian government, Simonovic said in the statement. (hina) lm 062010 MET dec 97