CROATIAN FOREIGN MINISTER HOLDS TALKS WITH ROBERT GELBARD

( Editorial: --> 3782 ) WASHINGTON, Sept 28 (Hina) - Croatian Foreign Minister Mate Granic on Monday held talks with the special US President's envoy for the implementation of the Dayton Agreement, Robert Gelbard. The talks in New York focused on the possibility of a permanent solution for the Prevlaka peninsula, which was also the subject of talks between Granic and US State Secretary Madeleine Albright two days ago. Albright had pledged to provide help in reaching a permanent solution to the issue. Gelbard expressed hope that a solution to the issue would be reached soon. Prevlaka is Croatia's southern-most tip bordering with the Yugoslav Republic of Montenegro to which Yugoslavia has pretensions. The issue of the border is not disputable for Croatia because Croatia was recognised within its borders, which was confirmed in UN resolutions concerning the monitoring mission on Prevlaka. It is only Yugoslav officials who speak about "the territorial dispute" which should "be solved through negotiations". Croatia has mentioned on several occasions that the change of borders cannot be discussed but that, in the interest of security, it is ready to negotiate with Yugoslavia about permanent demilitarisation of the region on a reciprocal basis. (hina) lml 281911 MET sep 98