KLEIN AND KOSTOVIC DISCUSS REINTEGRATION OF EASTERN CROATIA

ZAGREB, June 15 (Hina) - The UN Transitional Administrator for Eastern Slavonia (UNTAES), General Jacques Klein, met Croatian Deputy Prime Minister Ivica Kostovic in Zagreb on Saturday for talks on the peaceful reintegration of the remaining occupied areas of eastern Croatia. Klein told reporters after the meeting that they discussed the return of refugees, removal of mines from the Drava river, financing of the administration of Eastern Slavonia and the next steps in the reintegration process. Kostovic said that they also discussed a number of moves after the demilitarization process, including the return of refugees, identification of mortal remains, tracing of missing perons and timetables. As priorities, Kostovic emphasized the return of refugees to Lipovac and then to Antunovac, Ernestinovo and Bilje, clearing the Drava river of mines and opening of the Vinkovci-Tovarnik railway line. Kostovic said that there were two problems conserning the railway line - the problem of mine disposal and the problem of railway personnel once the line was opened. He added that mines were the main problem and that efforts would be made to solve it "professionaly and in due time." In response to a question on the duration of the UNTAES mandate, Klein said that it was always one of the subjects of talks but was not specific about its possible extension. Speaking of a population census, Kostovic said that the job would take three to six months and stressed that the census was a precondition for all plans in the area. He added that "temporary settlement of people living in the area" was possible. Kostovic confirmed that Klein asked for certain resources to help the implementation of the UNTAES mandate, but not directly from the Croatian government. Kostovic said that reconstruction of Eastern Slavonia's infrastructure and assistance to Klein's administration were Croatian objectives. (hina) vm 151901 MET jun 96