ZAGREB, Jan 14 (Hina) - The demilitarization of eastern Slavonia, Baranja and western Srijem was a key issue in the process of reintegration and a test for the Serb side to show whether it really wanted that process to be successful,
General Klein told a press conference in Zagreb today, after he held talks with Croatian Vice Premier and Croatian Government representative in the Transitional Administration in Eastern Slavonia, Baranja and Western Srijem, Ivica Kostovic.
ZAGREB, Jan 14 (Hina) - The demilitarization of eastern Slavonia,
Baranja and western Srijem was a key issue in the process of
reintegration and a test for the Serb side to show whether it
really wanted that process to be successful, General Klein told a
press conference in Zagreb today, after he held talks with Croatian
Vice Premier and Croatian Government representative in the
Transitional Administration in Eastern Slavonia, Baranja and
Western Srijem, Ivica Kostovic. #L#
Reserve General Jacques Klein, who acts as a future head of
the Transitional Administration for eastern Slavonia, Baranja and
western Srijem said that today's meeting with Kostovic had been
'excellent and useful'. The talks had focused on the implementation
of the process of re-establishment of Croatian authorities in
eastern Slavonia, Klein said.
The talks had also tackled the question of property,
elections, and the general process of re-establishment of
authority, Klein said, adding he believed the problem could be
solved, since the international community was ready to give
support.
The sooner the process of reintegration was completed, the
greater the support of the international community would be, Klein
said.
The most important task was the reintegration of the area of
eastern Slavonia into Croatia, the revival of economy and industry
and the reconciliation of the two peoples. The U.N. Security
Council would vote on Monday on the adoption of a resolution on the
mandate of new forces. That would be followed by the organisation
of military structures, deployment of forces and finally, the
demilitarization of the area, Klein said.
As regards the process of demilitarization, Klein said he was
'an optimist, because if the demilitarization fails, the whole
process of reintegration will fail too'.
Croatian Vice Premier Kostovic said he was extremely satisfied
with the deep understanding of the problem General Klein had shown
as well as with his clear intention to contribute with concrete
moves to a speedy reintegration of eastern Slavonia.
'We have stressed our priorities as regards the return of
displaced persons, but also the opening of the inland waterway and
other economic questions, Kostovic said.
Croatia would try and send clear messages to those Serbs who
recognized and accepted the Croatian state, Kostovic said, warning
at the same time of the difficulties that would crop up if war
criminals did not leave the area.
Asked whether there were any guarantees that the process of
demilitarization of occupied Croatian areas would be carried out,
Kostovic said that it was a key test for the Serb side. The fact
that the process of demilitarization would be headed by such a
general as Mr Klein and by a Belgian headquarters with excellent
officers, made the idea credible.
'Croatian institutions will be established in the area of
eastern Slavonia, Baranja and western Srijem as soon as the
Transitional Administration confirms that the military contingent
can guarantee safety', Kostovic said.
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