ASHDOWN: CROATIAN GOVERNMENT AWARE OF ITS INTERNATIONAL COMMITMENTS

ZAGREB, April 19 (Hina) - There can be no exceptions or compromises regarding Croatia's international commitments, particularly towards the UN war crimes tribunal in The Hague, and the Croatian government seems to understand that, the international community's High Representative to Bosnia-Herzegovina, Paddy Ashdown, said at a meeting with President Stjepan Mesic in Zagreb on Monday. #L# Ashdown expressed his admiration and support for the work the Croatian government had done in connection with the transfer of six Bosnian Croat indictees to the Hague tribunal. He said that other people indicted by the tribunal should follow that example and that this process should be completed. By facilitating the transfer of the indictees to The Hague, Croatia set an example to others in the region, particularly to the Serb entity in Bosnia-Herzegovina and the union of Serbia and Montenegro, he added. The British diplomat welcomed the Croatian government's determination to do all that was necessary with regard to reform on its path to the European Union. I hope in the following days we will be able to see the results of the consistent moves made by this and the previous government, Ashdown said. Speaking of the situation in Bosnia-Herzegovina and relations with the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) of Bosnia-Herzegovina, the High Representative expressed hope that this party would realise that all the measures aimed at meeting European and international standards in education were the only way that could be followed and that could lead to success. There are certain reforms that are being opposed and blocked by the HDZ. That would cost Bosnia-Herzegovina 42 million dollars, and as a member of the Council of Europe Bosnia-Herzegovina would fail to meet the required standards, he said. During his visit to Zagreb, Ashdown was also scheduled to meet Prime Minister Ivo Sanader. (Hina) vm