OSCE DELEGATION VISITS CROATIA

( Editorial: --> 6756 ) ZAGREB, Oct 8 (Hina) - A delegation consisting of ambassadors to the Organisation of Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) based in Vienna arrived in Croatia Thursday. The delegation is conducting a two-day visit to the country and today they will be visiting the OSCE Mission to Croatia. OSCE spokesman to Croatia Mark Thompson said on Thursday that the ambassadors of Belgium, Greece, Italy and Spain were coming to Zagreb first and then on Friday they would be visiting the Croatian Danube region. A press conference has been scheduled for Friday afternoon where the delegation will relay their impressions. According to Thompson, the ambassadors met with Croatian Assistant Foreign Minister Josko Paro on Thursday morning. This was later confirmed by the ministry. Later in the day, the four ambassadors are scheduled to meet with the OSCE Mission to Croatia's chief, Tim Guldiman as well as representatives of the UN High Commission for Refugees, the European Commission and other diplomats. During their visit to the Danube region, the delegation will meet with local government representatives. Asked to explain the purpose of the visit, Thompson said that the visit should be treated in the context of the interest the OSCE has with regard to the activities of its Mission to Croatia. The visit was also tied to the coming OSCE take-over (October 15), of monitoring activities of the police force in the Croatian Danube region from the United Nations. This is the first time in history of the OSCE to be involved in this type of monitoring mission. (Hina) sp jn 081341 MET oct 98