U.N. SECURITY COUNCIL ISSUES PRESIDENTIAL STATEMENT ON CROATIA

WASHINGTON, Dec 20 (Hina) - The UN Security Council on Friday issued a presidential statement in which it acknowledged "notable progress" in the humanitarian situation in Croatia, in particular measures taken by the Croatian government to meet the most urgent humanitarian needs of the local Serb population, but it also expressed concern at continued attacks against Croatian Serbs. The Council was particularly concerned about "involvement by Croatian uniformed military and police officials in a number of those incidents." It called on the Croatian government to "ensure adequate security conditions for the local Serb population, including the urgent re-establishment of a functioning court system in the former (UN) sectors North and South." The Council urged the Croatian government to adopt "a comprehensive approach in order to facilitate the return of refugees originating from Croatia to their homes of origin throughout Croatia," and "to stop all forms of discrimination against the Croatian Serb population in the provision of social benefits and reconstruction assistance." The statement expressed deep concern at reports that "the new amnesty law is not being implemented in a fair and equitable manner," underlining that "equitable application of that law is vital for building confidence and promoting reconciliation in Croatia as well as for the peaceful reintegration of the Region of Eastern Slavonia, Baranja and Western Sirmium." (hina) vm mm 202118 MET dec 96