OSCE HIGH COMMISSIONER MEETS SERB MINORITY REPRESENTATIVE

( Editorial: --> 9067 ) ZAGREB, Dec 17 (Hina) - OSCE High Commissioner for Ethnic Minorities Max van der Stoel met Serb National Council President Milorad Pupovac in Zagreb on Wednesday to discuss issues relating to the peaceful reintegration of the UN-administered Danube region and the work of Serb organisations in Croatia. Van der Stoel told reporters after the meeting that they discussed activities of the Joint Council of Serb-dominated municipalities in the Danube region, Serb deputy mayors, and Serb cultural organisations and their status. After yesterday's meetings with many Croatian officials, now I have the opinion of all sides on numerous issues of great importance, Van der Stoel said. I think that the government has a certain number of plans which are of great importance for harmonising inter-ethnic relations in this country, he said, expressing hope that those plans would be fully implemented in the near future. Pupovac stressed the importance of strict application of political decisions at all levels, particularly in counties, towns and municipalities. Pupovac said they also discussed the departure of people from the Croatian Danube region and conditions for the return of refugees and displaced people and reconstruction. (hina) vm jn 171613 MET dec 97