CROATIAN AMERICANS CAN HELP IN DEVELOPMENT OF CROATIA - ZUZUL

WASHINGTON, April 22 (Hina) - Croatian Americans play an important role in ensuring US guidance and support for the speedy reintegration of Eastern Slavonia and for admitting Croatia to Western economic and security institutions, Croatian ambassador to the US Miomir Zuzul said on Sunday. Addressing an annual politicial event, "Croatian Days on the Hill", which opened in Washington on Sunday, Zuzul said that the Croatian community in the United States could also help in further development of military and security cooperation between the two countries. "It is important that the Clinton administration soon pass a presidential decision to enable Croatia to buy weapons for its defence and for its role as a factor of stabilization in the region," Zuzul said, that a similar decision had already been made in the cases of Slovenia, Macedonia and Bosnia-Herzegovina. Zuzul said that US support was crucial for the success of the Croat-Moslem Federation in Bosnia-Herzegovina, adding that Croatia regretted recent statements by Bosnian government officials who had expressed doubts about the future of the Federation. "On our part, we have to do everything in our power to make the Federation a success," he said. (hina) vm jn 221138 MET apr 96