TUDJMAN: IT IS INCORRECT THAT CROATIA IS TURNING ITS BACK TO U.S.

ZAGREB, Dec 19 (Hina) - Croatian President Franjo Tudjman said Saturday, upon his arrival from a three-day visit to Russia, that it is of Croatia's strategic interest to maintain good relations with the United States, EU, as well as Russia. Claims that his visit to Moscow represented Croatia's back turning towards the United States are incorrect, Tudjman added. "My departure for Russia had been long planned, as had been the signing of all agreements strengthening cooperation foundations," he said. It is of "Croatia's strategic interest to have good, partner and friendly relations" with the US as a world power, and with European countries, because Croatia is located in Europe, but also with Russia which is always important in international life despite the difficulties it currently faces," Tudjman said. The statement by US Ambassador William Montgomery that the Croatian people do not have the same views as the Croatian President "exceeds the frames of normal diplomatic relations". "I do not know how the Ambassador came to the conclusion that the Croatian man does not think as I do," Tudjman said. He added, however, that relations between Croatia and the United States have not been interrupted. "There is no need for Croatia to change its foreign policy. We will continue to affirm our independence and aspire towards European associations," Tudjman stressed. He added he did not want solutions to be imposed that would be against the interests of Croatia. Tudjman expressed wish for overall relations with Croatia's neighbours in the Balkans and south-eastern Europe, and for cooperation in the solution of all issues of crises, but added he did not consent to political integrations in the region. Speaking about his visit to Russia, Tudjman said it had had a great significance for the creation of a new foundation for the deepening of relations between the two countries. He stressed the importance of developing bilateral relations, especially in economy and tourism. "This is an opportunity for me to call on the public and representatives of Croatia's economic and cultural life," to work on the development of cooperation with Russia. Russia will overcome all its current difficulties and Croatia and its companies ought to be interested in cooperation in all areas, Tudjman stressed. Due to the fact that Croatia was for good part armed with Soviet technology which needs to be maintained, it is also interested in military and technological cooperation with Russia. Russia has always been a power, important in international relations. Russia is important for Croatia because it had been "objective in the resolution of the crisis in the former Yugoslavia and Bosnia-Herzegovina". Accentuating Croatia's interest for cooperation with Russia as well as with the US and Europe, Tudjman said "that which we advocate is also in the interest of the European Union and the United States. I said what they are now saying: that all sorts of diplomatic groups... continue to monitor the situation in Croatia and report". "Croatia is under supervision as very few countries are," Tudjman said, recalling his speech at Croatia's War School. He added that in his speech, he pointed out the tasks of maintaining freedom and independence, but also cooperation and integration processes. "However, we shall not allow for us to be treated as a colony... that an SFOR commander deploys an army on Croatian territory... Stabilisation Force commanders have understood that," Tudjman added. He stressed that Croatia had reached an agreement with representatives of Bosnia-Herzegovina on solving all open border issues through a joint commission. (hina) lml