ZAGREB, June 17 (Hina) - The goal of UNTAES in the Croatian Danubian area is identical to that of the Croatian government, which is a peaceful reintegration of the area into Croatian legal and constitutional system, UNTAES
representative Kofi Appraku told a meeting of the coordination for the peaceful reintegration of eastern Slavonia, Baranja and western Srijem which took place in Zagreb on Monday.
ZAGREB, June 17 (Hina) - The goal of UNTAES in the Croatian
Danubian area is identical to that of the Croatian government,
which is a peaceful reintegration of the area into Croatian legal
and constitutional system, UNTAES representative Kofi Appraku told
a meeting of the coordination for the peaceful reintegration of
eastern Slavonia, Baranja and western Srijem which took place in
Zagreb on Monday. #L#
UNTAES would execute its projects only with the consent of the
Croatian government, Appraku said.
He explained that the projects were based on the principle of
neutrality related to the nationality of the users.
The UNTAES also offers projects which will quickly supply the
users with new jobs, as well as projects in compliance with
Croatian developmental interests and needs, which the government
can and wants to support.
Appraku said that the UNTAES had received assurances from the
international community that it would finance most of the projects,
and the European Commission had pledged to donate US $ 20 million,
beside the US $ 1.6 million which were necessary for clearing the
area of mines.
European Commission special envoy for Croatia, Flavio Paolini
said that EC had on Monday granted US $ 10 million for the
realization of the projects, expressing conviction that even bigger
amounts of money would be arriving with the advancement of the
realization of the projects.
He also pointed out that the European Commission had offered
US $ 4 million for the financing of the pilot programme of the
return of refugees which had been drafted by the UNHCR.
Croatian Vice Premier Ivica Kostovic described most of the
projects as acceptable.
A Reconstruction and Development Ministry representative did
not accept the project of cleaning Vukovar, for the danger of
uncontrollable removal of historical valuables and high price.
He also refused to accept the project of reconstruction of
houses in the Croatian Danubian area.
According to the Ministry, the current residents of the
Danubian area would have most advantage from the reconstruction of
the houses, and not displaced persons who were the biggest victims
of the war.
Also, the Ministry felt that the finances for the
reconstruction were insufficient, because the European Commission
ensured only 10 percent of the necessary money.
(hina) lm mm
171858 MET jun 96