MADELEINE ALBRIGHT & MATE GRANIC RELEASE JOINT STATEMENT

( Editorial: --> 9321 ) WASHINGTON, July 22 (Hina) - American Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and Croatian Foreign Minister Mate Granic released a joint statement on Wednesday following their meeting in Washington. Hina will release the entire text of the statement, which reads as follows: "Secretary of State Albright and Minister of Foreign Affairs Granic discussed a broad range of bilateral issues and expressed satisfaction with recent developments on issues of importance to the international community and to the bilateral relations of the two countries. They reaffirmed Croatia's commitment to facilitate the return of refugees to Croatia, to fully implement the Dayton Accords and to build a democratic and civil society in Croatia. They reiterated the joint statement by Deputy Secretary (Strobe) Talbott and former (Croatian) Defence Minister (Gojko) Susak made on January 30, 1998 and committed to the rapid implementation of its provisions. Secretary Albright comprehensively discussed with Minister Granic the steps Croatia needs to take to fully implement the Dayton Accords. She also delivered to Minister Granic a list of areas where Croatia is expected to improve its Dayton compliance. "A major topic of the meeting was eventual Croatian membership in (NATO's) Partnership for Peace (programme) (PfP) as the next significant step towards Croatia's full integration into Euro- Atlantic organisations. Minister Granic emphasised on behalf of the Government of Croatia that Croatia will take all necessary steps to meet the requirements stated in the PfP road map in the forthcoming months. Secretary Albright emphasised that complete fulfilment of these commitments, especially in the areas of Dayton implementation, return and confidence building among ethnic groups, and democratisation will lead to full US support for Croatia's membership in PfP. Both sides expressed hope that this would be accomplished by the end of the calendar year. "Both sides agreed on the fundamental right of return for all refugees and displaced persons in Croatia and the region as expressed in both the Dayton and Erdut Agreements, and reiterated their firm commitment toward this end. The Secretary congratulated Minister Granic on the successful development of Croatia's plans and procedures for the return of refugees and displaced persons. Minister Granic pledged that Croatia will take immediate steps to resolve any problems in the implementation of the Government's return procedures. Minister Granic and Secretary Albright agreed to continue working intensively to ensure that the programme on returns is fully implemented and that the rate of actual returns is accelerated. Foreign Minister Granic reaffirmed his government's commitment to establish the security conditions and economic development necessary to allow all citizens of Croatia, including those in Eastern Slavonia, to remain in their homeland. "The Secretary reviewed US Government concerns on the need to continue the ongoing process of building democracy and civil society in Croatia. In particular, Secretary Albright noted the need for a completely free and independent media, especially in electronic media. She also stressed that the election laws need to be substantially changed. She emphasised that these improvements are necessary to ensure beyond doubt that the next Croatian elections are both free and fair. "Both Secretary Albright and Minister Granic reiterated their commitment to all aspects of the Dayton Agreement and rejected any suggestion that the agreement be changed or modified. Foreign Minister Granic assured Secretary Albright that the Government of Croatia would continue to play a positive role in facilitating progress on police integration and the complete dismantling of remaining parallel institutions in the (Croat-Muslim) Federation (of Bosnia-Herzegovina). Secretary Albright assured Minister Granic that the US Government is insisting that all parties dismantle those pre-Dayton institutions which violate the Accords. The Government of Croatia expressed full support for the current election process underway in Bosnia-Herzegovina, and pledged to do everything possible to ensure that free and fair elections are successfully carried out and the results implemented fully. Minister Granic and the Secretary expressed their full support for the return of all displaced persons throughout Bosnia-Herzegovina, including to the (Bosnian Serb entity) Republika Srpska. Both condemned the recent acts of violence against returnees in Bosnia- Herzegovina. "The Secretary welcomed the Croatian Government's commitment to create and enforce a uniform border regime with Bosnia-Herzegovina and to resolve all outstanding territorial issues on the basis of mutual respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of each country. Minister Granic noted the importance of completing negotiations regarding the port of Ploce to enhance its commercial use for the benefit of the region and said the Government of Croatia will move quickly to sign an agreement with the Government of Bosnia-Herzegovina. "In light of the recent extension of the UN Mission on (the) Prevlaka (peninsula), Secretary Albright reiterated US support for Croatia's territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders and the US view that all of the parties must work to bring the mission to a satisfactory conclusion in a reasonable time. "Minister Granic expressed Croatia's support for the Hague Tribunal, and reiterated former Defence Minister Susak's pledge to Deputy Secretary Talbott to cooperate fully on all investigations and prosecutions. "The Secretary commended the Government of Croatia on its decision to request the extradition of and to try World War II Jasenovac concentration camp commander Dinko Sakic. Minister Granic assured her that the Government is fully committed to seeing that justice is done and that the trial will be fair, thorough, transparent, and take advantage of all possible witnesses. "Secretary Albright reiterated to Minister Granic that progress in these areas remains essential to meeting the requirements for US support for Croatian membership in PfP. Secretary Albright also made clear that the US government looks forward to rapid implementation of the refugee return plan and the development of a reconstruction plan so that the US can actively support a donor's conference, and develop broader economic and political relations with Croatia," the joint statement ended. (Hina) mbr 222227 MET jul 98