SARINIC RECEIVES OUTGOING U.S. AMBASSADOR

( Editorial: --> 9696 ) ZAGREB, Dec 19 (Hina) - The Croatian President's chief of staff Hrvoje Sarinic on Friday thanked outgoing U.S. Ambassador Peter Galbraith for his contribution to the development of Croatian-U.S. relations. And Galbraith was thanked for his role in the peace process which resulted in the successful reintegration of eastern Croatia and the termination of the UNTAES mandate, by which Croatia's territorial integrity and sovereignty have been achieved. Given the positive assessment the international community gave the Croatian government for results achieved in eastern Croatia, which was also corroborated by a UN Security Council resolution on the termination of the UNTAES mandate, Sarinic inquired about a December 17, 1997 article by Chris Hedges, published in the New York Times, on an allegedly alarming security situation in eastern Croatia and the intimidation of local Serbs who were leaving the country in masses. Sarinic wanted to know the reason for the article and how well- founded it was. Galbraith said that as ambassador of the United States and a first- hand witness of events, he could confirm that the Croatian government had made great efforts and achieved positive results in the reintegration process. These results exceeded his own expectations, Galbraith said, adding the assessment made in the mentioned article was arbitrary and incorrect. The U.S. ambassador said he was willing to publicly deny such manipulation with events and people, and was willing to join the Croatian government in its invitation to local Serbs to stay in eastern Croatia. Galbraith presented Sarinic with the book "The United States and Croatia, Documented History 1992-1997", which collects documents and testimonies from the time of Croatia's struggle for international recognition and independence. (hina) ha mm 191902 MET dec 97