GULDIMANN 'MODERATELY OPTIMISTIC' REGARDING PEACEFUL REINTEGRATION

REINTEGRATION ( Editorial: --> 1657 ) VUKOVAR, 30 Dec (Hina) - The Croatian Danube river region is in the key stage of peaceful reintegration, head of the Mission of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in Croatia, Tim Guldimann, said Tuesday. Speaking at a press conference in Vukovar, held on the occasion of today's session of the Joint Council of (Serb-dominated) Municipalities, Guldimann expressed moderate optimism concerning the continuation of peaceful reintegration. He said today's session of the Joint Council gave hope for moderate optimism, but warned that some difficulties still existed in the Danube river region. One of the reasons for optimism was the fact that a considerable number of Serb refugees had returned to their homes and that the Croatian government was obviously ready to fulfil its obligations and cooperate with the international community, especially with OSCE, Guldimann said. Asked whether Serbs from the Danube river region were leaving the area for Yugoslavia, Guldimann said the overall impression was that less people were leaving than had been expected, and expressed satisfaction with that. After 15 January we don't expect any radical changes, he added. (hina) mm rm 301935 MET dec 97