CRO TO ALLOW U.N. 3 MONTHS TO WITHDRAW FROM E. SLAVONIA

ZAGREB, Aug 31 (Hina) - Croatia persisted in its decision that UNTAES' mandate end on 15 April 1997, but was willing to allow UN forces to withdraw from the Croatian Danubian area in the three months following that date, Croatian Foreign Minister Mate Granic said on Saturday. "After UNTAES transfers authority to Croatian institutions, UN forces could withdraw from that area within three months", Granic said after a meeting with British State Minister Nicholas Bonsor. Bonsor stressed he was particularly encouraged by the talks between the Presidents of Croatia and Serbia and the Agreement signed by Croatia and Yugoslavia. The establishment of diplomatic relations was a very important step forward, he said. Bonsor also praised the course of the peace process in Bosnia- Herzegovina and the Croatian Danubian area, which he will visit this afternoon for talks on the development of the situation with UN Transitional Administrator General Jacques Klein. These official visits will mark the end of Bonsor's two-week holiday in Croatia. (hina) ha jn 311355 MET aug 96