GRANIC'S VISIT CONFIRMS GOOD RELATIONS BETWEEN CROATIA AND U.S.

WASHINGTON, May 16 (Hina) - The four-day visit of Croatia's Foreign Minister Mate Granic to Washington, which ended on Thursday, confirmed US commitment to deepening cooperation between the two countries. However, the United States made it clear that it expected Croatia to solve its internal issues in line with standards of Western democracy. The US reaffirmed its interest in further developing economic ties with Croatia, announcing that the mission of the late US Commerce Secretary Ronald Brown would continue. US Commerce Department officials and representatives of US companies are travelling to Croatia and Bosnia next week to continue work on economic cooperation projects. A US business delegation headed by Commerce Secretary Mickey Kantor will also visit Croatia and Bosnia in July. Granic's talks with US officials showed that the Clinton administration was satisfied with Croatia's performance in the peaceful reintegration of the occupied Danube River area as well as with its role in the implementation of the US-sponsored Dayton peace agreement for Bosnia and the strengthening of the Bosnian Croat-Moslem Federation. However, some objections were raised during talks with US Vice President Al Gore and Secretary of State Warren Christopher. The US unequivocally demanded that Croatia give up the idea of building at Jasenovac a common memorial to all victims of World War Two and the Croatian war of independence. The idea was strongly opposed by influential Jewish circles and organizations, and members of Congress urged the Clinton administration to take action. Croatia is expected to solve the local government crisis in Zagreb and the media issue in accordance with Western standards of democracy and human rights. Also discussed was Croatia's cooperation with the Hague-based International Criminal Tribunal for former Yugoslavia. US officials evaluated very favourably the adoption of a law on cooperation with the Tribunal and demanded its consistent implementation. (hina) vm jn 162105 MET may 96