BRIEF NEWS BULLETIN IN ENGLISH NO. 5379

WASHINGTON, July 15 (Hina) - The United States positively assessesCroatia's cooperation with the UN war crimes tribunal in The Hague andits efforts regarding the return of Serb refugees, and expects Croatiato continue along this road, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Statefor South and Central Europe Kathleen Stephens said on Wednesday. The National Federation of CroatianAmericans (NFCA) is opposed to the United States linking its supportto Croatia for NATO membership to progress in the case of fugitiveCroatian Army general Ante Gotovina, who is sought by the Hague warcrimes tribunal, the organisation said in a statement on Wednesday. European External Affairs Commissioner ChrisPatten addressed a regular session of the Permanent Council of theOrganisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in Viennaon Thursday, advocating closer cooperation between the EU and the OSCEin creating security and stability and curbing all fo