ZUZUL CALLS ON U.S. & NATO TO STAY IN BH AFTER JUNE 1998

( Vidi vijest: 5377 ) WASHINGTON, Oct 23 (Hina) - Croatia's Ambassador to the U.S. Miomir Zuzul on Thursday called on the United States and NATO to remain engaged in Bosnia-Herzegovina after the current mandate ends next June. "The continuation of the U.S. support and guidance is necessary", Zuzul told a session of the World Politics Institute, a scientific and educational institution established seven years ago that deals with issues related to international politics and national security. "We call on the U.S. and NATO allies to stay in BH even after next June, in order for the Dayton process to really come to fruition. The withdrawal deadline shouldn't be a fixed date but a point at which the Bosnian government may guarantee security and trust of its people", the ambassador said. If offered the chance, BH may be a multi-cultural society, Zuzul said. "That society can be built only on mutual trust and interest and the recognition of the fact that there are three constituent peoples which must in all aspects be equal in their rights and commitments, including the right to specific relations with the mother country, as envisaged in the Washington and Dayton Agreements", Croatia's ambassador to the U.S. said. Zuzul pointed out that Croatia supported the activity of the war crimes tribunal in The Hague, adding it was necessary to show justice in the tribunal's work. "In view of that, it is now necessary for the ICTY, the prosecutor and the world community to take resolute steps to catch and bring Karadzic, Mladic, Martic (Bosnian Serb war criminals) and other inditees before the tribunal", Zuzul said. The Croatian ambassador to the U.S. said Croatia was waiting to be included in NATO, and was willing to take all commitments such a membership entailed. "In return, NATO will gain significant strategic use with the admission of Croatia", Zuzul said and recalled the strategic and tactical advantages of Croatia's geographic position. (hina) ha 232334 MET oct 97