ZAGREB, 27 Jan (Hina) - The Croatian Government Letter of Intent on the completion of peaceful reintegration of the Croatian Danubian area and preparations for the forthcoming elections were the main topics at today's talks between
the Croatian Vice Premier Ivica Kostovic and the high OSCE commissioner for national minorities, Max van der Stoel, who is visiting Zagreb.
ZAGREB, 27 Jan (Hina) - The Croatian Government Letter of Intent on
the completion of peaceful reintegration of the Croatian Danubian
area and preparations for the forthcoming elections were the main
topics at today's talks between the Croatian Vice Premier Ivica
Kostovic and the high OSCE commissioner for national minorities,
Max van der Stoel, who is visiting Zagreb. #L#
The two officials also discussed the period following the
completion of peaceful reintegration and accommodation for the
Serbs who arrived in the area after 1991.
Van der Stoel welcomed the Government Letter of Intent
stressing that it contained many important elements for the local
Serb minority.
The date of the expiry of the UNTAES mission in the area was
approaching. Therefore it was important to take steps towards
greater mutual trust. In that sense, the Government Letter of
Intent was of special importance, van der Stoel said.
Van der Stoel said he discussed with Kostovic the return of
Croat displaced to the Croatian Danubian area and sending of OSCE
monitors to the area after Croatian authorities take full control
of the area on 15 July.
The OSCE commissioner said that in his opinion one could be
more optimistic as regarded the development of stability in the
area. UNTAES contributed to it considerably, as did the Government
Letter as well.
On Monday, Van der Stoel also met Croatia's Interior Minister
Ivan Penic who informed his guest about the urgent need for a
change in the ethnic composition of the Transitional Police Force.
An increase in the number of Croat police officers and other
non-Serb police members from the area would improve security
situation in the area, Penic said.
Penic also informed van der Stoel about issuing of Croatian
documents, stressing that everyone who meets legal requirements can
get Croatian documents.
At the end of the talks, Penic stressed that security
situation in the liberated Croatian areas was improving by day,
which was the basis of effective functioning of any law-ruled
state.
(hina) rm mm
271621 MET jan 97