VRKIC CONDOLES WITH FAMILIES OF KILLED UNTAES OFFICIALS

OSIJEK, Dec 12 (Hina) - Head of the Government's office for the establishment of Croatian authority in the Danubian area, Ivica Vrkic, on Thursday offered his condolences to the families of UNTAES members killed in a traffic accident near the eastern- Croatian town of Slavonski Brod on Thursday. Vrkic expressed regrets over the "untimely death of people who had been taking part in a mission to restore Croatian authority in eastern Slavonia, Baranja and western Srijem." The accident claimed three lives - Julia Mereu and Jessica Malit of UNTAES and a Croatian citizen of Serb nationality residing in the Danubian area. A commemorative ceremony was held at the UNTAES Beli Manastir headquarters on Wednesday. Ivica Vrkic was present on behalf of the Croatian Government. (hina) mm as 121424 MET dec 96