ELIZABETH REHN HOLDS TALKS WITH CROATIAN VICE-PREMIER

ZAGREB, Feb 22 (Hina) - UN Special Rapporteur for human rights in the region of former Yugoslavia, Elizabeth Rehn, held talks with Croatian Vice-Premier Ivica Kostovic in Zagreb on Saturday about the situation in eastern Slavonia. After the talks, Rehn warned about numerous problems in eastern Slavonia before the elections, stressing that their successful implementation would depend on the readiness of the sides to fulfil their commitments. #L# "I think that there are many problems. There are already problems with some of the documents," Rehn said, stressing the importance of the feeling of security necessary for persons who are to continue living in the Croatian Danubian area, as well as for those who would return there after many years of being displaced. The Croatian government Letter of Intent was compliant with international standards, Rehn said, stressing that its implementation depended on the readiness of the sides to cooperate. Kostovic said he expected the elections in eastern Slavonia to be held in a democratic manner and in a much better atmosphere than last year's elections in Bosnia-Herzegovina. He said that he had provided Rehn with proof on behalf of the Croatian government that the Letter had already begun to be implemented, especially regarding the preparations for the elections, the issuing of documents and the right to vote. Kostovic added that in the meantime, additional guarantees had been given to the Serbs who accepted Croatian documents and state that they would be employed in public services. Stressing the gravity of the problem of missing persons, Rehn admitted to the powerlessness of international organisations concerning the solving of the issue. "It is not much I can do and I think international organisations can do very little, only to support the Croatian government in this issue," Rehn said. (hina) lm 221317 MET feb 97