PRESIDENT MESIC RECEIVES U.S. AMBASSADOR TO CROATIA

ZAGREB, Feb 23 (Hina) - Croatian President Stipe Mesic on Friday received United States Ambassador to Croatia Lawrence Rossin to discuss the situation in Croatia and current issues in the region, particularly in Bosnia-Herzegovina and the southern Yugoslav province of Kosovo, Croatian President's advisor for foreign policy Tomislav Jakic said. Rossin said that the final outcome of the "Norac case" showed the maturity of Croatia's political public and that the credit should be given to the firm joint standpoint of the senior officials of the authorities. According to Jakic, the Croatian President appreciated the message of support, sent by United States President George W. Bush, in the turbulent time at Croatia's political scene. Discussing the situation in Bosnia-Herzegovina, the United States Ambassador said that the new Bosnia-Herzegovina Government opened prospects for the democratic development, particularly in the context of the general normalisation of the situation in the region, Jakic said. During the talks, Mesic pointed to Zagreb's firm decision to solve all issues with Sarajevo on bilateral grounds. Mesic also said Croatia was not financing the Croatian component in Bosnia- Herzegovina's army. Mesic advocated Bosnia-Herzegovina's unified military with one command and one source of financing. (hina) it