CROATIAN PRESIDENT MEETS U.S. ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE

GENEVA, March 18 (Hina) - Croatian President Franjo Tudjman and US Assistant Secretarty of State John Kornblum met in Geneva on Monday morning as part of preparations for talks on further implementation of the US-sponsored Dayton peace agreement in Bosnia-Herzegovina due to begin in the US mission in the afternoon. The talks would also involve Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic, Bosnian Presidency member Ejup Ganic and US Secretary of State Warren Christopher. Kornblum informed the Croatian president about subjects that would be discussed in the afternoon talks: the next stage in the implementation of the Dayton accords aimed at creating conditions for free and democratic elections in Bosnia-Herzegovina, the situation in Sarajevo suburbs, the exchange of prisoners of war and cooperation with the Hague-based war crimes tribunal. Tudjman said that Croatia and Croats supported the Croat- Moslem federation as a key to ending the crisis in Bosnia- Herzegovina, a source close to negotiators said. He said that he was confident that the resolution of problems in Sarajevo, Mostar and Bugojno would contribute to the establishment of the Federation. Tudjman added that the forming of cantons and strengthening of the Federation would lead to the transformation of the Bosnian Croat Republic of Herzeg-Bosnia. He also voiced full support for cooperation with the Hague tribunal. Kornblum said that the United States would like the Croatian and Serbian delegations to reach a political agreement on mutual recognition, including an agreement on the Prevlaka peninsula. Tudjman stressed that Prevlaka was part of sovereign Croatian territory and that Croatia could only agree to its demilitarization. Prevlaka is the southernmost tip of Croatia bordering Montenegro. The Yugoslav federation of Serbia and Montenegro demands that the border in that part be changed at Croatia's expense. Tudjman also stressed that Croatia would reject any initiatives aimed at forming new integrations in the area of the former Yugoslavia or the Balkans. He said that in this respect he expected support from the United States. (hina) vm jn 181626 MET mar 96