E.U. MONITORS SATISFIED WITH REINTEGRATION PROCESS ( Editorial: --> 9726 )

( Editorial: --> 9726 ) ZAGREB, Nov 10 (Hina) - The European monitors are satisfied with the process of reintegration of the UN-administered Danube region and with the developments in the liberated areas of Croatia, EU monitor mission chief Daan Everts said in Zagreb on Monday. The Dutch ambassador was speaking to reporters after meeting Deputy Prime Minister Ljerka Mintas-Hodak for talks on the peaceful reintegration process and the situation in the formerly Serb- occupied areas. Mintas-Hodak said that they shared the view that the situation in the liberated areas and the peaceful reintegration process had been developing very well, particularly in recent time. As examples of the progress that had been made, Everts cited greater freedom of movement, facilitated return of displaced people to their homes and housing reconstruction. Noting that Croatia had always pursued correct policy but that sometimes it had been difficult to implement it on the local level, Everts said that the gap between politics and practice was now closing and that the situation on the ground was improving. Everts said that the international community was becoming more and more aware that it was necessary to provide greater support to Croatia for the reconstruction and economic recovery of the Danube region and the liberated areas. Croatia has borne those huge costs without almost any support. The mission representatives have agreed that international aid is the right way for solving increasing unemployment, which is one of the main problems in the areas liberated in two Croatian military operations in 1995 besides property issues, Mintas-Hodak said. Speaking of the Danube region, she said that they talked about how to create conditions for a speedy and mass-scale return of Croats. In response to a question when she expected the return of a larger number of displaced Croats to the Danube region, Mintas-Hodak said she believed it would happen next spring and summer. (hina) vm jn 102124 MET nov 97