GRANIC AND RADIC RECEIVE COMMISSION FOR DANUBE REGION

ZAGREB, Sept 16 (Hina) - Croatian Foreign Minister Mate Granic and Reconstruction and Development Minister Jure Radic on Tuesday received members of the commission supervising the implementation of the Zagreb-Erdut agreement on the peaceful reintegration of the Croatian Danube region, including ambassadors and charge d'affaires accredited in Zagreb, a Foreign Ministry statement said. The meeting was also attended by Deputy Foreign Minister Ivo Sanader and Ambassador to the United Nations Ivan Simonovic. Granic stressed in his introductory remarks that the successful termination of the UNTAES mandate was Croatia's strategic interest and that the Croatian government guaranteed full human and minority rights to the Serb minority in Croatia. In that respect, Croatia will fulfil its obligations, firmly adhering to all democratic and civilisation standards, primarily because of its commitment to establishing a law- governed state and the rule of law, and not just because of demands of the international community, Granic stressed. Granic said he believed that the successful completion of the peaceful reintegration of the Croatian Danube region was also the objective of the commission as it was of the Croatian government, which would consider all of their objections. Criticisms and pressures are inappropriate to the progress made and to the situation in the Croatian Danube region and are creating an unfavourable climate in the public, he stressed. Granic noted in that context that no one spoke of the problem of Croat refugees from Bosnia-Herzegovina, particularly from the Bosnian Serb entity. Granic drew attention to the recent brutal killing of two Croats by two Serbs in the Slunj area (about 100 km south of Zagreb), saying that it seriously destabilised the process of the two-way return of displaced persons and affected the confidence of the Croatian people in the success of that process. He added that that crime could have an adverse effect on the genuine interests of the local Serb population, emphasising the consequences such tragic incidents had in the Croatian public. Granic said that it was necessary to urge the local Serb population to sincerely accept peaceful reintegration. He also drew attention to some problems in the work of the UN Transitional Administration in the Croatian Danube region. Granic went on to inform the members of the commission about the results of his meeting with Yugoslav Foreign Minister Milan Milutinovic, stressing the importance of the signed agreements for the continuation of the successful course of the peaceful reintegration process in the Croatian Danube region. He added that they had agreed on the continuation of negotiations on agreements on trade and combating organised crime. They stressed on that occasion that it was their joint interest that the UNTAES mandate should end successfully on January 15, 1998. On behalf of the EU Presidency, the Dutch representative welcomed such a course of events. The ambassadors of the United States and the Russian Federation and the Dutch official representing the European Union, welcomed the results achieved to date in the peaceful reintegration of Croatia's Danube region and pointed out Croatia's positive role. They were, however, concerned about problems noticed in the peaceful reintegration process, and outlined their remarks, stressing the importance of its current stage, which they regard as crucial for the ultimate success and timely completion of the UNTAES mission. They appealed to the Croatian government to fully comply with its commitments, pointing out that slowing the reintegration process could delay the eventual complete takeover of authority by the government and affect Croatia's relations with the European Union. The commission pointed out problems concerning laws on the temporary takeover of property, amnesty, education, health, the justice system, social insurance and local government. The U.S. ambassador and the representative of the Netherlands, separately handed Foreign Minister Granic a list of remarks. Granic announced the steps the Croatian government would soon take to eliminate current open issues, and called on the commission to join in efforts to achieve this. He stressed the government expected a balanced approach and the understanding of the international community, as well as equal care for all displaced persons and refugees, regardless of their nationality. Minister Radic said that the Croatian government had cooperated successfully with local Serbs in the Danube region, but added that there were certain administrative problems on the UNTAES side. He appealed to the commission members to urge their governments to help in providing care for war victims regardless of their nationality. Radic said some remarks by the commission were factually unfounded. He pointed out that the commission, the Croatian government and the local population of all nationalities should meet in order to either confirm or deny the objections, since members of the commission stressed they had talked only with Serb and UNTAES representatives. Granic and Radic pointed out the Croatian government would do everything for the UNTAES mission to terminate successfully and on time on 15 January 1998. They said the government expected pressure-free, constructive assistance from the international community, the statement concluded. (hina) ha vm jn 162147 MET sep 97