TUDJMAN RECEIVES JOHN KORNBLUM - STATEMENT

ZAGREB, March 12 (Hina) - The Croatian President Franjo Tudjman on Tuesday received the aide to the U.S. Secretary of State for Europe and Canada, John C. Kornblum, who was accompanied by U.S. Ambassador to Croatia Peter Galbraith, aide to the Secretary of State in charge of democracy and human rights issues, John Shattuck, deputy of the aide to the Secretary of State, Rudolf Perina, Deputy Secretary of State and special advisor on implementation of peace agreement in Bosnia-Herzegovina, William Montgomery, representative of the U.S. Defence Minister, Thomas Longstreth, mediator for the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina Roberts Owen, member of the joint headquarters of the U.S. armed forces, Colonel Lute, director of the group 'Balkan Action Team', Henry Kelly and member of the National Security Council, Mr Finney, a statement from the President's Office said. #L# At the beginning of the talks, Croatian President congratulated Mr Kornblum on his appointment and wished his associates success which was, he said, in the interest of peace in this part of Europe and further strengthening of friendly partnership between the United States and Croatia. Mr Kornblum and his associates could count on full support and cooperation of Croatian authorities in the implementation of the peace agreements in Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina, President Tudjman said. The high officials discussed all current issues of the peace process. President Tudjman stressed that Croatia attached great importance to the peaceful reintegration of the still occupied Croatian Danubian area, which would positively affect the successful implementation of the peace process in Bosnia- Herzegovina, especially the establishment of the Croat-Bosniac Federation. President Tudjman expressed conviction that the peace process could be implemented within agreed time limits. However, understanding and firm support of the international community, the United States in particular, were necessary in the realisation of the process, President Tudjman said. The problem of missing and imprisoned persons, return of displaced persons and cooperation with The Hague War Crimes Tribunal were also discussed during the talks. President Tudjman said that The Hague War Crimes Tribunal could count on full cooperation of Croatian authorities, but that it was necessary to secure full objectivity of Tribunal's activities. Present at the talks were also President Tudjman's Chief-Of- Staff Ivo Sanader, Foreign Minister Mate Granic, Vice Premier Ivica Kostovic, Croatian army Chief-Of-Staff Zvonimir Cervenko, President Tudjman's advisor on foreign affairs, Zeljko Matic, President Tudjman's aide-de-camp Kresimir Kaspar and aide to Foreign Minister, Hido Biscevic, the statement said. (hina) rm jn 121343 MET mar 96