STATE DEPARTMENT: CROATIA EXPERIENCING DEMOCRATIC REVIVAL

WASHINGTON, Jan 29 (Hina) - Croatia has experienced democratic revival which would not be possible had there been war and aggression in the country's neighbourhood, a vice-director of the State Department's sector for political planning, James O'Brien, said on Friday. Addressing foreign reporters accredited in Washington, O'Brien spoke about individual questions addressed by President Clinton in the section on foreign policy of his state of the nation speech. The elections and the new democratic government determined to conduct reforms and establish links with the West is an exceptional success in Croatia, O'Brien said. He added the political views of both presidential candidates - Drazen Budisa and Stipe Mesic - guaranteed Croatia's democratic development and its joining Euro- Atlantic associations. On the other hand, Milosevic, who is indicted for war crimes and crimes against humanity, continues to hold a firm grip on power in Serbia, despite, the US believes, the will of the majority of people, O'Brien said, recalling Clinton's statement that Serbia would not join European trends as long as Milosevic was leading it. The US expects that other parts of south-east Europe, too, will become increasingly integrated into the European centre in coming years, he added. (hina) rml