ZAGREB, Sept 27 (Hina) - Croatia continues to be resolute about the fact that only Serbs registered in the 1991 census can participate in the elections in the Croatian Danubian area, while UNTAES has no definite views on the subject,
Croatian vice-premier Ivica Kostovic and deputy Transitional Administrator Derek Boothby said in Zagreb on Friday.
ZAGREB, Sept 27 (Hina) - Croatia continues to be resolute about the
fact that only Serbs registered in the 1991 census can participate
in the elections in the Croatian Danubian area, while UNTAES has no
definite views on the subject, Croatian vice-premier Ivica Kostovic
and deputy Transitional Administrator Derek Boothby said in Zagreb
on Friday. #L#
"All those registered in the 1991 census plus those who have
obtained the right to vote, may vote," Kostovic said.
He added that other Serbs who were now living in the Croatian
Danubian area could take part in the elections only after they were
issued Croatian documents, and could only vote in places where they
had permanent residence.
Boothby said that the issue of which Serbs could vote was one
of the basic issues which needed to be resolved.
He added that the decision had to be made by an UNTAES
official in charge of elections who would take into consideration
the stance of the Croatian government.
Decisions also had to be made concerning borders of electoral
districts and other issues so that elections could be truly free
and fair, Boothby said.
Kostovic reiterated the stance of the Croatian government that
the UNTAES mandate ended on January 15 and after that the mandate
could only be extended technically, and not for more than three
months.
He also said that he had expressed protest to Boothby against
a new settlement of Serbs in the Croatian Danubian area, for which
the Croatian authority had proof was being planned.
He also protested against incidents which happened during
issuing of documents.
(hina) lm mm
271508 MET sep 96