WASHINGTON - FOREIGN MINISTER PICULA MEETS STATE SECRETARY POWELL

WASHINGTON, June 8 (Hina) - Relations between Croatia and the U.S. are very good despite some holes, particularly in the economy, Croatian Foreign Minister Tonino Picula said in Washington on Friday during talks with U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell. Besides, Croatia needs United States assistance to complete its NATO joining process, Picula said at the end of his visit to Washington. The two chiefs of diplomacy tackled all regional topics of significance. The U.S. wishes Croatia to successfully continue with reforms, thus helping the entire region, it was said. Picula and Powell described the situation in some regions, Macedonia especially, as critical. Croatia and the U.S. believe a large government coalition in Skopje can pave the way for dialogue, stop violence and provide for the integration of ethnic Albanians into Macedonian society. Picula said he and Powell did not explicitly discuss the U.S. military presence in the Balkans but reiterated the Croatian position that the U.S. must remain in Southeast Europe. The U.S. policy might be modified but Washington will not jeopardise regional stability and what has been achieved, he added. In talks with Powell, Picula pointed out that indicted war criminals in Bosnia were still at large. As long as Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic have the chance to affect political events, stability and reconciliation are impossible, he said. (hina) ha sb