WASHINGTON HAS NOT INTRODUCED UNILATERAL SANCTIONS AGAINST CROATIA

WASHINGTON, Aug 31 (Hina) - The United States has not introduced any unilateral sanctions against Croatia and Croatian diplomats in Washington believe no sanctions will be introduced either. #L# "Washington has announced possible sanctions but they have not been imposed on Croatia", the spokesman for the Croatian Embassy in Washington, Luka Aleric, told Hina on Tuesday. Today's issue of Croatia's 'Vecernji list' daily said the United States has introduced economic sanctions and suspended military training. "We believe that it (the sanctions) will not happen and that all disputes will be solved following measures taken by the Croatian Government", Aleric said. There is no doubt about the dissatisfaction of the US administration. This was stated last Thursday by James Foley, a State Department deputy spokesman, who also said the highest levels of the Croatian Government had been urged to fulfil their obligations and cooperate with The Hague Tribunal. US Ambassador to Croatia William Montgomery on Saturday warned Croatia's Foreign Minister Mate Granic that prolonging the situation in which no effective solutions are being sought with the aim of solving the dispute between Croatia and the Tribunal could have a far-reaching negative impact on the country's relations with the United States, which had been moving upward so far. Montgomery also conveyed his government's interest and wish to avoid such a situation. (hina) jn rml