PRESIDENT TUDJMAN RECEIVES ADMIRAL SMITH - STATEMENT

ZAGREB, 6 June (Hina) - Croatian President Franjo Tudjman on Thursday received the chief commander of the international Implementation Force in Bosnia-Herzegovina (IFOR), Admiral Leighton Smith, a statement from the President's Office said. #L# Thanking for the support Croatia and President Tudjman have been giving to IFOR, Admiral Smith informed President Tudjman about the situation and IFOR's activities in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Commenting on the Bosnian elections, President Tudjman said that the implementation of Mostar elections was important because the elections would establish local authority, and in some way, be an introduction into the autumn general elections. President Tudjman supported the implementation of the Bosnian elections in line with the deadlines which had been agreed upon in Dayton, since, he said, it was necessary to establish the federal and, in particular, the cantonal bodies of authority. The elections would result in the removal of Karadzic and Mladic from their positions, as well as of others who were responsible for the aggression, and enable more reasonable people take over their positions, President Tudjman said. He also expressed conviction that, despite certain obstacles, the peaceful reintegration of the Croatian Danubian area would be completed successfully. The meeting between President Tudjman and Admiral Leighton Smith was also attended by Defence Minister Gojko Susak, head of the Military Cabinet, Lieutenant Miljenko Crnjac, aide to Croatian army Chief-Of-Staff for the Croatian Navy, Vice-Admiral Davorin Kajic and head of the President's cabinet, Gordan Radin. Present at the meeting at Admiral Smith's side were Lieutenant General Jean Heinrich, Captain Rusty Petrea, Staff Brigadier David Wilby and Pieter Fieth, the statement said. (hina) rm 062013 MET jun 96