OPPOSITION'S HDZ COMMENTS ON MESIC-KOSTUNICA STATEMENT

ZAGREB, June 9 (Hina) - The Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) supports the policy of negotiations with neighbouring Yugoslavia but the negotiations should focus on the settlement of open issues, the strongest opposition party said on Saturday commenting on a joint statement signed by the two countries' presidents on Friday. The HDZ says the Mesic-Kostunica statement does not mention the "open issues," which according to the party are Yugoslavia's definitive giving up on territorial demands towards Croatia, detained and missing persons, succession to the former Yugoslav federation, war damages, the restitution of archives and works of art seized during the 1990s war, and the status of Croats in Yugoslavia. The HDZ calls on the two governments to resume dialogue which will address the settlement of the aforementioned and other issues, for instance the voluntary return of displaced persons, which are of interest to both countries and should further bilateral relations. "Good neighbourly relations with all countries must be the long- term goal of our foreign policy, which includes one of the most important issues, the normalisation of Croatia-Yugoslavia relations, and Croatian-Serb relations in general," the HDZ said in today's statement. (hina) ha sb