US CONGRESS COMMITTEE DISCUSSES RESOLUTION ON CROATIA

WASHINGTON, May 4 (Hina) - The committee for international relations of the American Congress will on Thursday discuss a draft resolution which would express support to Croatia for its accession into NATO's Partnership for Peace programme. Congressman George Radanovich motioned the resolution which, it has been said, has the support of 19 members, so it is likely the resolution would soon be placed on the lower house agenda. Radanovich's resolution obliges the United States Government to resolutely support Croatia's accession into the Partnership for Peace and the World Trade Organisation. In March when Congress committees began a discussion on next year's budget, Radanovich received the support of State Department senior officials -- Ambassador James Perdew, deputy special US President's envoy, Ambassador, Larry Napper, coordinator of the assistance programme for the Southeast of Europe, and Daniel Hamilton, special Stability Pact coordinator. His draft was also endorsed by chairman of the Congress committee for international relations, Benjamin Gilman. Moreover, Gilman announced he would suggest the lower house to set a flexible maximum of American financial assistance for multilateral programmes in the Southeast of Europe for the next five years. (hina) lml jn