GOVERNMENT SAYS PRESSURES ON CROATIA ARE UNPRINCIPLED

( Editorial: --> 1134 ) ZAGREB, March 20 (Hina) - The Croatian state policy emphasises, and its actions confirm, its long-term determination in fulfilling its obligations, in order to strengthen the credibility of its democratic commitment, Croatian Government spokesman Neven Jurica told reporters on Friday. Croatia is doing this not only because of the international community, but because of its democratic character and interests as a full member and subject of the international community of democratic countries, Jurica said. "We assess as unfounded and unprincipled the pressures on Croatia which are coming from parts of the international community. The consistency and transparency of Croatian policy is reflected in fulfilling the obligations it has entered into and is the best practical dismissal of those pressures," Jurica said. No single conduct by Croatia in relation to the situation in the Danube River region, the return of refugees and commitments to the Dayton agreement give a base for such unprincipled pressures, the head of the Government's Communications Office assessed. Continued normalisation of life and establishment of trust in the Croatian Danube region, the return of refugees to their homes and consistent observance of the Dayton peace agreement, are Croatian interests which it energetically fulfils. We expect that the international community will show its interest in the fate of displaced Croats, especially those from Bosnia- Herzegovina who are in the most difficult position, Jurica said. Turning to criticisms expressed about President Franjo Tudjman's speech at the recent ruling party convention, Jurica said how the speech once again delivered important elements of the Croatian state policy and it was incomprehensible that something else could be read into it. In statements of the highest ranking state officials headed by President Tudjman, following constructive and open talks with the foreign ministers of Germany and France, it was clearly expressed that Croatia was not interested in regional associations which pushed it into an unnatural and forced attachment to south-eastern and Balkan countries which is opposite to Croatia's Mediterranean and central European character, Jurica said. He said Croatia wanted to develop good neighbourly relations with countries in that region and invest special efforts in normalising relations with the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. (Hina) jn mb /ha 201804 MET mar 98