SECURITY SITUATION IN DANUBE REGION VERY STABLE - MORIC

( Editorial: --> 9710 ) VUKOVAR, Dec 19 (Hina) - The security situation in the Danube river region of eastern Croatia is very stable, with a trend of constant improvement, Assistant Interior Minister Josko Moric said in Vukovar on Friday. The number of criminal offences in the region is constantly on the decrease. The departure of people from the area, which used to be at the daily rate of 60 to 70 families, has almost stopped. Only two families have left in the last five days, Moric told a news conference at the Transitional Police Force headquarters. "There's no doubt the local population has confidence in Croatian police," Moric said, announcing a resolute fight against all forms of crime. Assistant Interior Minister for Criminal Police Zeljko Sacic said that several members of crime organisations, linked with both neighbouring Yugoslavia and other areas of Croatia, were active in the region. Addressing for the first time the Croatian public, Assistant Interior Minister Dragan Djukic stressed the importance of stopping the departure of people from the Danube region, which used to be of worrying proportions. He described the current law and order situation as satisfactory. On Thursday, Moric's office opened a special telephone line which residents of the region would be able to use in order to obtain answers to their questions or to file complaints or requests. About 40 calls were registered on Friday. All people identified themselves and many of them commended the work of the police. Most of the callers wanted to know when they would be able to return to their homes, and two even inquired how they could join the police force. (hina) vm mm 191910 MET dec 97