CROATIAN AMBASSADOR TO U.S. HOLDS WORKING LUNCH WITH LEADING MEDIA

MEDIA $ WASHINGTON, July 24 (Hina) - The Croatian Ambassador to the United States, Miomir Zuzul, said in Washington on Thursday that the solving of war crime + suspects issue was the key precondition for the success of the international community + in Bosnia-Herzegovina. #L# There is no way for Dayton to be implemented until we do not face one of the most important, and maybe one of the most dangerous issues, Zuzul said at a + working lunch with the leading American media. Zuzul reiterated the Croatia was prepared to arrest war criminals if they + entered Croatian territory, but dismissed the possibility of Croatian forces + apprehending them outside of the state territory, including in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Croatia will not be prepared to go in pursue of anyone on the territory of + another state, including Bosnia-Herzegovina, he said. Zuzul described the United States' involvement as crucial in the successful implementation of the peace agreement in Bosnia. Without the US leading role, it is impossible to even imagine Dayton being implemented, Zuzul told reporters. Asked how a long-term stability could be achieved in the south-east of Europe, Zuzul said he personally thought that one of the possible solutions would be + the establishment of NATO bases in Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Croatia, which would not only guarantee stability, but would also have a role of preventing new + conflicts in that part of Europe. Asked when he expected Croatia to be integrated into military associations, Zuzul said he hoped for Croatia's accession into NATO's Partnership for Peace programme by the end of this year or the beginning of the next year, while in + 1999, a signal would be expected nominating Croatia as one of the candidates for + accessing NATO. (hina) lm 242318 MET jul 97