ZAGREB, Jan 16 (Hina) - The United Nations will try to find as soon as possible forces and send them to the Croatian Danubian area, but no time limits have been determined for this, a UN spokesman, Philip Arnold, said in Zagreb on
Tuesday.
ZAGREB, Jan 16 (Hina) - The United Nations will try to find as soon
as possible forces and send them to the Croatian Danubian area, but
no time limits have been determined for this, a UN spokesman,
Philip Arnold, said in Zagreb on Tuesday. #L#
"I cannot tell you exactly when this may happen, but UN will
try to deploy the force as soon as possible, certainly within
several weeks," Arnold told a press conference.
"The UN will soon find troops and deploy them as it is in the
interest of both sides, the population in eastern Slavonia, and the
UN," he added.
Arnold could not say when the demilitarization of the occupied
Croatian areas would start and when the one-year countdown for the
Transitional Administration would begin, as these actions are
connected with the deadline of the final deployment of the force.
On Monday the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 1037 on a
new peace operation in the Croatian Danubian area. The operation,
called UNTAES (UN Transitional Administration of Eastern Slavonia,
Baranja and western Sirmium), is to take one year, but it can
extend to another year if it is asked by any side.
The resolution approved the deployment of up to 5,000
soldiers, but a number of troops may increase.
Arnold told the conference that it was still unknown which
countries would contribute their troops for the Croatian Danubian
area, and added that the UN had talked with Slovakia and India
about this matter. In the area there were already 1,578 troops,
mostly Belgians and Russians, as part of the former UNCRO mandate.
"The Belgian contingent is likely to be increased and take on
a more leading role," he said adding that Belgium is a NATO member-
country, which may put importance in the operation.
Retired American general, Jacques Klein, will be probably the
Transitional Administrator, and the Security Council should appoint
him to this office. The whole operation will consist of the
military and civilian component under the authority of the
Transitional Administrator.
The mission command will be situated in the Croatian Danubian
area, and its liaison officers will have offices in Belgrade and
Zagreb.
(hina) jn mms
161652 MET jan 96