CROATIA COMPLETES WESTERN SLAVONIA OPERATION

ZAGREB, May 2 (Hina) - Croatian police and military forces have completed their action aimed at reopening a stretch of the highway and railway through Serb-occupied areas of Western Slavonia, a Presidential Office statement said today. Armed Serbs have stopped offerering organized resistance and Croatian authority has been restored in Okucani. Negotiations on the surrender of a large group of armed Serbs in the Pakrac area, began at 14.00 hours. Deputy Prime Minister Ivica Kostovic has personally visited the area and, on behalf of Croatian President Franjo Tudjman, has guaranteed all civil rights to the citizens of Serb nationality. Those who have taken up arms, except war criminals, have been guaranteed a pardon, the statement concluded. (hina) mm vm 021533 MET may 95