OSIJEK, March 1 (Hina) - A conference on the freedom of the media ended in the eastern Croatian town of Osijek on Saturday after the addresses by UNTAES spokesman Philip Arnold and UNHCR information department Chris Bowers. The
conference was organized by the Council of Europe's Embassy of local Democracy in Osijek, the European Movement Croatia and the town of Osijek.
OSIJEK, March 1 (Hina) - A conference on the freedom of the media ended in
the eastern Croatian town of Osijek on Saturday after the addresses by
UNTAES spokesman Philip Arnold and UNHCR information department Chris
Bowers.
The conference was organized by the Council of Europe's Embassy of
local Democracy in Osijek, the European Movement Croatia and the town of
Osijek. #L#
Stressing that the local residents mandate had been completely
uninformed about the peaceful reintegration process at the beginning of
UNTAES's mandate, Arnold said that during the past few months, the media on
both sides had eliminated the worst excesses.
He added that reporters should not bring back memories of the past in
their work and that a free media space needed to be ensured in the UNTAES-
administered area.
Speaking about elections in the Danubian area, Arnold said that there
was a problem in boundaries of some municipalities in the area, adding that
he expected that a solution would be reached next week which would satisfy
both sides.
In his address, Bowers said that the UNHHCR was interested in
connecting people via the media, adding that Serbs, who did not have
anything on their consciousness, should remain in Croatia, but if they
wanted to leave, let it not happen because of the wrong information.
Special advisor of the Council if Europe's Secretary-General, Michel
Fluckinger, described the conference as successful and useful, stressing
that he would inform the Secretary-General Daniel Tarschys about the
conference.
(hina) lm
011357 MET mar 97