CROATIA SURPRISED BY GHALI'S SUGGESTION - SUSAK

WASHINGTON, Oct 30 (Hina) - Croatian Defense Minister Gojko Susak said in Washington on Wednesday that Croatia was surprised with the suggestion of the UN Secretary-General Boutros Ghali about the extension of the UNTAES mandate for six months, considering the fact that it had been previously discussed to use the 3 plus 3 plan (three months of the mandate's extension and another six months for the UNTAES to leave the country). "The most recent report of the UN Secretary-General surprised us slightly, considering that eastern Slavonia was recognized by the UN as a part of Croatia and that the only UNTAES and UN representative in the area is General Klein. After an agreement was reached with President Tudjman about the 3 plus 3 mandate, the UN decided to issue this report," Susak said. In his report to the UN Security Council, issued in New York on Tuesday, Ghali suggested that the UNTAES mandate be extended to 15 July, adding that it would not be possible to complete the main tasks before that date. (hina) lm jn 301954 MET oct 96