TOMCIC DESCRIBES PRODI'S STATEMENT AS HASTY

ZAGREB, Nov 27 (Hina) - A statement of European Commission President Romano Prodi that the European Union would not condition its assistance to Yugoslavia on Belgrade's extradition of Slobodan Milosevic to the Hague-based Tribunal forces us to think how much the EU policy towards this region is consistent, Sabor Speaker and the Croatian Peasants' Party (HSS) President, Zlatko Tomcic, said on Monday. Commenting on Prodi's statement, Tomcic said he was speaking only on his own behalf and on behalf of his party. I believe it was a hasty statement, Tomcic said in Zagreb after a meeting of the co-ordination of six parties that make up the coalition Government. The Six Party Co-ordination did not consider Prodi's statement, Tomcic told reporters. Tomcic said he believed that every progress in the relations between countries in the region, including Croatian-Yugoslav relations, should be viewed in light of the respect for all international standards, incorporating Belgrade's cooperation with the ICTY (International Criminal Tribunal for former Yugoslavia. This contentious statement was given by Prodi during his visit to Belgrade last Saturday after he had attended the Zagreb Summit a day before. (hina) jn ms