OSCE press statement on protests in Croatia

ZAGREB, 12 May 1999 - Recent articles published in two Croatian national newspapers stated that OSCE officials have expressed support for the latest protests in the village of Berak, in the Danube Region.

The OSCE has not made such a statement to the press. The statement reported was inaccurate and taken out of context. Public gatherings held in Berak from 7 - 9 May, 1999 have directly resulted in 14 documented cases of ethnically related criminal violations. For this reason, they cannot be perceived as peaceful.

Investigations of individuals suspected of having committed war crimes should be carried out by the appropriate legal authorities. It is thus unacceptable for unproven allegations against individuals to be aired the media. The media have a particular responsibility in the context of the Government's trust establishment programme, and should avoid irresponsible and inflammatory reporting.

Given the non-functioning of the trust establishment committee at the local level, the situation in Berak calls for the urgent involvement of higher-level trust establishment committees, in order to calm the tensions that have arisen there. There are indications that the actions of the local police force in response to incidents in Berak have been insufficient. The OSCE will follow this up with the authorities, and investigate.