PERRY TO RECOMMEND CROATIA FOR PARTNERSHIP FOR PEACE PROGRAM

ZAGREB, March 30 (Hina) - Relations between Croatia and the United States, the situation in the Croatian Danubian area, measures for establishing the Bosnian Federation and Croatia's cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) were the topics of Saturday's talks between the Croatian Defense Minister, Gojko Susak, and his U.S. counterpart, William Perry, in Zagreb. #L# Susak thanked Perry and the U.S. authorities for their help and support in the successful medical treatment of his illness. The U.S. had once again proved their support to Croatia in its efforts to be included in the Partnership for Peace program, Susak said, adding that Croatia's being included in the program involved the respect for the Dayton peace accords, but that he regarded it as a positive step for Croatia and Europe. Discussed were the establishment of a bilateral working group for defense issues which would work on mutual cooperation, including the program of exchange of officers, the joint training of peace operations and cooperation as regards military material, Perry said. Susak informed Perry of the fact that General Blaskic, indicted by the International Tribunal for war crimes, had expressed his readiness to go to The Hague. "I held talks with him today and according to what he said, he is travelling to The Hague on Monday," Susak said. Speaking of the peace process in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Perry expressed his opinion that more and better goals should be achieved, that he discussed the issue with Susak and that he would discuss it with the government in Sarajevo on Sunday. Perry announced that the NATO force would ensure complete freedom of movement within Bosnia-Herzegovina and that it would not tolerate checkpoints or obstacles on the roads. (hina) lm mm 301724 MET mar 96