CROATIAN, U.N. OFFICIALS DISCUSS SITUATION IN EASTERN CROATIA

OSIJEK, May 7 (Hina) - The UN commander of the former UN Sector East, Major General Freddy Van de Wegh, met in Osijek today with the Croatian army commander for the Osijek area, Djuro Decak, and Osijek County head Branimir Glavas, for talks on the situation in the region. Following the closed-door meeting, Decak told reporters that the situation was very complex as Serb troops amassed heavy weapons close to the line of separation. He said that efforts were being made to resume negotiations. "General Loncar, commander of the so-called Slavonia-Baranja Corps, has not found time in the last seven days to meet me so we could help reduce the tension," Decak said. Decak said the Croatian army did not intend to take new actions to regain control of the currently occupied area. He added that it would do so only if forced to. Responding to a journalist's question whether Croatia was ready to pull back its heavy weapons if the Serbs did the same, Decak said: "Of course, under the auspices of the UN Confidence Restoration Operation in Croatia." Decak confirmed as true reports of people moving out of the former UN Sector East. He said such conduct was unjustified since Croatia was pursuing the policy of peace. Van de Wegh said that the situation in the former Sector East had been calm until yesterday when the tension increased. He said the UNCRO would attempt to get both sides to the negotiating table to evade the possibility of a renewed conflict. Van de Wegh stressed that the movement of UN peacekeepers was restricted and several of their vehicles had been seized a few hours before this meeting. He called on the Serb side to ensure the free movement of UN personnel and normal conditions for performance of their duties. Glavas said that today's talks also focused on a meeting with local Serb authorities which was to have taken place today at noon at a UN check point on the Bilje road. The Serbs refused to attend the meeting saying they would not resume talks with Croatian authorities as long as they felt their lives were in danger. "I think that the military and civilian authorities should sit round the negotiating table to discuss details essential for the reduction of tensions," Glavas said. Glavas expressed confidence that reason would prevail on the Serb side. (hina) vm 072045 MET may 95