MURDER OF SERB REFUGEE IN E. CROATIA NOT POLITICALLY MOTIVATED - MORIC

MORIC ( Editorial: --> 5102 ) ZAGREB, Jan 17 (Hina) - Croatian Assistant Interior Minister Josko Moric Thursday commented on reports in U.S. media on the killing of a Serb refugee in eastern Croatia, saying the killing had not been politically motivated. A murder took place in the village of Grabovac, in the eastern Croatian region of Baranja, on 14 January, Moric told local Vinkovci television Thursday evening. The perpetrator was arrested an hour and a half later, he added. "The circumstances are still being investigated, but it is important to say this was not a politically motivated murder", said Moric, adding "the motive is obviously linked with obtaining illegal property advantage or greed." Moric said from a political point of view this was the first serious incident in eastern Croatia since Croatian police took over authority for security in the area. Rejecting any political speculation on the murder, Moric said the murderer was an ethnic Hungarian, and the victim a 78-year-old ethnic Serb. In their reports on the completion of the peaceful reintegration of eastern Croatia, the Washington Post, the New York Times and the Los Angeles Times said the special occasion coincided with the burial of a 78-year-old Serb refugee, allegedly shot by a Croat returnee. Talks with family members and witnesses left it unclear whether the murder was ethnically motivated, the U.S. dailies said. (hina) ha 171304 MET jan 98