TALBOT DESCRIBES HIS MEETING WITH GRANIC AS VERY SUCCESSFUL

NEW YORK, Sept 21 (Hina) - The United States respects procedures defined by Croatian laws but it also expects and hopes that a war crime suspect, Mladen Naletilic Tuta, will be deferred to the International War Crimes Tribunal (ICTY) in the very near future, said U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, Strobe Talbot, after his talks with Croatia's Foreign Minister Mate Granic in New York on Monday. The U.S. official told Croatian reporters that his meeting with Granic had been very successful.#L# Minister Granic has become a very good friend and colleague of President (Bill) Clinton, State Secretary Albright and everybody in the U.S. Administration, Talbot said adding that Granic's persistent successful work instils optimism that Croatia would continue developing toward a fully integrated, active and constructive member of the international and particularly of the European community. We also discussed a permanent question of the necessity for Croatia's cooperation with the International Tribunal, particularly in the case of a war crimes suspect, Mladen Naletilic Tuta, Talbot added. He said he had conveyed to Granic the gratitude for the Croatian Government's support to the United States and allies during NATO air campaign in neighbouring Yugoslavia. Talbot told reporters that he had been very glad to hear Granic's assurances that the forthcoming election in Croatia would be free and fair and thus contribute to Croatia's bids to become a full member of EuroAtlantic integration. Being a former reporter who used to work in ex-Yugoslavia, I expressed my particular interest in the freedom of the press in Croatia in general as well as in view to the election, the U.S. diplomat said. (hina) ms