CROATS' POSITION IN VOJVODINA RATHER DIFFICULT - REPRESENTATIVE

( Editorial: --> 1640 ) ZAGREB, June 16 (Hina) - "The Croats' position in Vojvodina is rather difficult, as they are neither a national minority, not are they recognised as a constituent people", the president of the Democratic Alliance of Croats from Vojvodina Bela Tonkovic told reporters in Zagreb Tuesday. Vojvodina is a province in northern Yugoslavia, bordering with eastern Croatia. "As long as Croatia complies with its obligations towards Serbs under close observation of the international community, there (will be) no solution for us Croats in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia", Tonkovic said. We are disappointed with Yugoslavia's behaviour, Tonkovic said, as during the recent establishment of the National Minorities Council at the Executive Council of Vojvodina, Croats were excluded with the explanation that it was a question of a "new national minority" whose position has to be arranged with an agreement between Belgrade and Zagreb. He also emphasised that for two years Yugoslavia has been turning a deaf ear to Croatia's draft agreement on the matter. There are no major difficulties when one wants to establish a culture and art society, Tonkovic said, but it is nearly impossible to be granted a radio or TV frequency. National radio and television will grant neither time nor space for a broadcast in the Croatian language, he emphasised, adding this proves that Yugoslavia is trying to assimilate Croats living there. Croats are a native populace of Vojvodina, which was joined to Serbia after World War One. (hina) ha jn 161738 MET jun 98