CRO OPPOSITION PARTIES' VISIT TO USA NORMAL PRACTICE - MONTGOMERY

( Editorial: --> 8091 ) ZAGREB, June 1 (Hina) - The invitation for Croatian opposition parties to visit the USA is not unusual because opposition leaders from many countries, either individually or in a group, regularly visit the United States of America, US Ambassador to Croatia William Montgomery told a Monday press conference in Zagreb. A recent American announcement inviting Croatian opposition parties to visit the US has created great public attention. The ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) assessed this invitation as unusual in diplomatic practice. Montgomery said the HDZ had participated in such group visits as well. He said that in 1990, members of 15 opposition parties from the former Yugoslavia met with the Deputy Secretary of State Lawrence Eagleburger in Belgrade, adding that Vladimir Seks represented the HDZ on that occasion. It looks as if HDZ considers that it is alright for them to go as an opposition party to Belgrade for talks with American officials but thinks that today's opposition does not have the right to go to Washington because of the same things, said Montgomery. Montgomery said that for him "that incident" is one more confirmation of the danger of a one-party control over the national television. He expressed hope that Croatian TV would report his announcement in entirety given the time it gave to those opposing the visit. Montgomery told journalists that the US Embassy is on Monday sending a letter to a number of political leaders which confirms US interest for the visit. Montgomery said the visit would last three to four days and would be organised in the period between 6-22 July. He said that the aims of the visit would be familiarising high US officials and media with Croatian political parties, enabling Croatian parties to present their stances and to hear the positions of their colleagues first hand. Montgomery said that in one part of the programme parties could have individual meetings if they so wished. According to Montgomery, the announced group visit will enable meetings at a higher level than would be possible for any party to achieve in an individual visit. (hina) jn bag/ha 011725 MET jun 98