SECURITY COUNCIL PASSES RESOLUTIONS ON E. SLAVONIA, PREVLAKA

WASHINGTON, Jan 15 (Hina) - The UN Security Council adopted unanimously a resolution on a new UN operation for the reintegration of the Croatian Danubian area into the legal and constitutional system of the Republic of Croatia, in New York on Monday. By the resolution the Security Council created the UN Transitional Administration of Eastern Slavonia, Baranja and Western Sirmium (UNTAES), the third UN operation in Croatia. The Security Council voted to send 5,000 troops to supervise the demilitarization, create the atmosphere of security and monitor the return of refugees in this Croatian sliver, still held by rebel Serbs. The demilitarization should take 30 days since the military deployment of UNTAES. Under the resolution, the UNTAES civilian component will include tasks to establish temporary 600-strong police forces control the state border, supervise the work of local authorities, facilitate the return of refugees and organize elections. The Security Council appointed the Transitional Administrator who will have the entire authority over UNTAES military and civilian components The Security Council attached importance to the respect for human rights and basic freedoms of all inhabitants in the area, and authorized the UNTAES supervise the respect for high standards of human rights and freedoms. The resolution underlined the connection between the fulfillment of obligations under the Basic Agreement on the Croatian Danubian area and the readiness of the international community to provide financial funds for the reconstruction and development. The UNTAES is also supposed to cooperate with the International War Criminal Tribunal. The Security Council enabled the UNTAES to use force in line with the Chapter VII of the UN Charter, when it is necessary to protect UN forces there. The UNTAES can call close air support for its defence or withdrawal, and it should cooperate with NATO-led IFOR (Implementation Force) in such situations. The Security Council will, not later than 14 days after the demilitarization is carried out, consider the conduct of all parties in the implementation of the agreement. The resolution confirmed the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Croatia and underlined that eastern Slavonia, Baranja and western Sirmium are parts of the Republic of Croatia. On Monday the UN Security Council also adopted a resolution on extension for another three months the mandate of UN observers in the Prevlaka peninsula. (hina) mms 160051 MET jan 96