OSCE: LOW RETURN OF PEOPLE TO CRO DANUBE RIVER REGION

( Editorial: --> 0583 ) ZAGREB, March 18 (Hina) - The general situation in the Croatian Danube River region is unchanged, and a low number of returnees is still being noted, the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) spokesman Mark Thompson told a press conference in Zagreb on Wednesday. The situation in the Croatian Danube River region is still gloomy, said Thompson. The problem is that progress is not being noticed on the ground, especially in regard to the return of displaced persons and refugees, as well as in the development of mutual trust and reconciliation, he said. He also said that a great number of people are still leaving that area and there exists a danger that measures for return will be applied too late. OSCE also considers that some faults exist in the behaviour of local police. Furthermore, the housing commission is faced with big problems, said Thompson. OSCE expressed satisfaction with the noticeable improvement of the situation in the southern Croatian town of Knin, following the visit by the Article 11 Commission, responsible for following the implementation of the reintegration agreement. Thompson said that OSCE supports the Council of Europe's proposal for accelerating the process of transforming Croatian Radio Television. A four-member Council of Europe delegation presented the proposal to media and government representatives while in Zagreb last week, said Thompson. The United Nations Police Support Group (UNPSG), which is monitoring police work in the Danube area, last week noted 50 instances of disturbance of the peace of which 37 were linked to disputes about houses, said the UNPSG spokeswoman Kirsten Haupt. The most dangerous incident, which occurred in Darda, was also reported to the Interior Minister's assistant Josko Moric, based in the Vukovar police headquarters. (hina) jn mrb/ha 181710 MET mar 98