CROATIAN OFFICIALS, LOCAL SERBS DISCUSS RETURN TO E. SLAVONIA

ZAGREB, March 4 (Hina) - The joint commission for return of displaced persons to Eastern Slavonia held its first meeting on March 2 at the Nemetin-Sarvas checkpoint near the eastern Croatian city of Osijek, according to a UNHCR statement released on Monday. The meeting between the Croatian delegation and local Serb representatives was chaired by UNHCR special envoy Soren Jessen- Petersen. Also present were representatives of the UN Transitional Administration in Eastern Slavonia (UNTAES). "This was the first opportunity for the two sides to discuss issues regarding the return of refugees and displaced persons to their former homes in the region of Eastern Slavonia and other areas of Croatia. "Both sides expressed their commitment to move forward with the return process, beginning with a number of pilot projects. "It was agreed that this inaugural meeting of the Joint Implementation Commission will be followed by regular meetings which will take place at the UNHCR offices in Erdut and Osijek alternatively every two weeks," the statement said. The next meeting was scheduled for March 12 in Erdut. (hina) vm 041555 MET mar 96