CROATIAN PRESIDENT, US OFFICIAL DISCUSS SITUATION IN REGION

ZAGREB, Oct 25 (Hina) - Croatian President Stipe Mesic and the assistant to the US Secretary of State for European affairs, James Dobbins, held talks on the situation in the region following the political changes in Yugoslavia, in Zagreb on Wednesday. After the talks Dobbins said the situation in the region was improving. The elections in Croatia marked a huge step forward in the stabilisation and democratisation of the region, and the recent events in Belgrade, which I believe owe a lot to the developments in Croatia, represent another step forward for the region, Dobbins said. Dobbins, who is also a special advisor to the US president on Kosovo and the implementation of the Dayton agreement, said the purpose of his visit to Zagreb was to discuss with Croatia's leadership the best ways to make use of the positive development of the situation in the region and secure the continuation of the partnership between the countries in the region, the USA and the European Union. Speaking about the situation in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Dobbins said the United States appreciated the efforts of the Croatian authorities in supporting the existence and integrity of Bosnia- Herzegovina as well as the operation of its institutions. The US official expressed hope the Yugoslav authorities would follow the example of Croatia regarding the support for the functioning of Bosnia-Herzegovina. President Mesic's advisor on foreign affairs Stanko Nick said Dobbins stressed Croatia had set norms of conduct which were becoming an obligation for other countries in the region. Asked whether the US policy toward the region would change in case the Republican candidate was elected new US president, Dobbins said there would be no major changes. During his visit to Zagreb, Dobbins also met parliament speaker Zlatko Tomcic, Prime Minister Ivica Racan and Foreign Minister Tonino Picula. (hina) jn rml