US AMBASSADOR MONTGOMERY COMMENTS ON SUSAK'S VISIT TO USA

( Editorial: --> 8593 ) ZAGREB, 31 Jan (Hina) - Meetings between Croatian Defence Minister Gojko Susak and high-ranking American officials in Washington on 30 January were important and productive, as a joint statement issued at the end of the visit shows, said a statement issued by the US Ambassador to Zagreb, William Montgomery, on Saturday. During his visit, Susak met the acting Secretary of State Strobe Talbott, the special envoy of the US President and the Secretary of State in charge of the implementation of the Dayton agreement, Robert Gelbard, and Defence Secretary William Cohen. Montgomery especially welcomed the reiterated confirmation of the Croatian Government, saying it pledged to secure a safe and regular return of all displaced people and refugees to their homes in Croatia as soon as possible. The US Ambassador also welcomed Croatia's special commitment to publicly explain by 15 March the procedures enabling all Croatian displaced persons and refugees to quickly obtain citizenship certificates, as well as to make known plans for return throughout Croatia by 30 March. This is a considerable contribution to the solution of the regional problem of return of refugees, which will be discussed at a conference on the return of refugees, to be held in Sarajevo next week, said Montgomery, adding he would attend the conference himself. (hina) rm 311924 MET jan 98