CRO PREMIER, AMBASSADOR DOBBINS DISCUSS SITUATION IN YUGOSLAVIA

ZAGREB, Oct 25 (Hina) - Croatian Prime Minister Ivica Racan, deputy Prime Minister Zeljka Antunovic and Foreign Minister Tonino Picula on Wednesday received Ambassador James Dobbins, special advisor of the United States president and Secretary of State for Kosovo and the implementation of the Dayton Agreement. The talks focused on the situation in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and its possible influence on the political situation in the region after the elections. The talks also tackled the pre- election situation in Bosnia-Herzegovina, read a statement issued by the Croatian government. Ambassador Dobbins said Croatia had set standards of handling the implementation of democratic reforms as a model for countries in the region, adding this was Croatia's contribution to the stability in the region. Prime Minister Racan said Croatia advocated equal standards in relations between the international community and all countries in the region. Addressing the situation in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, the Prime Minister stressed it was in Croatia's interest to have a democratic Yugoslavia as a neighbour. He added Croatia was aware the process in Yugoslavia would be difficult due to extraordinary circumstances, therefore the responsibility of the new Yugoslav leadership was even greater. (hina) it