NATO COUNCIL RELEASES STATEMENT ON CROATIA

( Editorial: --> 7396 ) ZAGREB, March 5 (Hina) - The North Atlantic Council remains committed to the full implementation of the Peace Agreement for Bosnia-Herzegovina and calls on Croatia to allow the return of refugees and displaced people, NATO said in a statement on Thursday. "With respect to the return of refugees and displaced persons, we call on Croatia to promote and allow their return to their places of origin in Croatia and throughout the region," the statement said, stressing NATO's full support to Ambassador Tim Guldimann's efforts as head of the Organisation for Security Cooperation in Europe mission to Croatia, including with respect to the resettlement of refugees and displaced persons. "Allies are deeply concerned by the speech by the President of Croatia on 21 February which contradicts both the letter and the spirit of the Peace Agreement for Bosnia-Herzegovina. "The North Atlantic Council reminds Croatia of its obligations under the Peace Agreement for Bosnia-Herzegovina and related agreements, the respect of which will be critical for the development of relations between NATO and Croatia," the statement concluded. (Hina) jn as /mb 051712 MET mar 98