IT IS POSSIBLE TO HOLD ELECTIONS AND WITHDRAW UNTAES TROOPS BY 15 JULY - SUSAK

JULY - SUSAK ZAGREB, Nov 26 (Hina) - Croatian Defense Minister Gojko Susak, Lieutenant General Kresimir Cosic and Major General Ivan Kapular on Tuesday visited the Croatian Danubian area (under UNTAES control). On that occasion, he visited Vukovar, Djeletovci, Klisa and Beli Manastir. Upon his return to Zagreb, he told the Croatian Television that he had returned from the Croatian Danubian area truly satisfied with what he had seen and with the progress that had been accomplished so far. "If someone had told me three, four years ago, or even a year ago, that this (the visit to the occupied area) would happen this way, I would not have believed him," Susak said. He added that he would like especially to congratulate General Klein and General Schoups for everything they had done so far. "They will have the Croatian government's support, I hope more than they had so far. At the same time, I hope that organs (of authority) at the lowest level - from county prefects downwards, will show a greater degree of cooperation with UNTAES, so that UNTAES could end its mandate according to the interest of Croatia, instead of having someone from the outside instruct when it should end," Susak said. Asked to comment on views that the process of the peaceful reintegration was slow and that the Croatian authority complying, Susak said that criticism from people who were waiting to return to their homes for five years now, was justified. Speaking about the peaceful reintegration of the Croatian Danubian area, Susak said that, even in his dreams, he would never have suggested another option, after he had on Tuesday "looked at maps and saw what mine fields look like on the separation line of the whole former sector east, and after the talks with the President". Not because "I could not have been able to realize (the other option)," he added, " but because we would have surely had much more victims than we had in all the three sectors, when we liberated western Slavonia, and the North and South Sector. We have chosen this (peaceful) option, we enjoy the support of relevant, deciding factors. We do not have the full understanding of the UN Organization, but we can do more about it". Speaking about the UN Security Council Resolution, Susak stressed that the "decision from New York is 6+6 (months), which was agreed in Dayton". "It is the stance of General Klein and General Schoups - this is why I hail their action - such that both the elections and the withdrawal of (UNTAES) troops out of Croatia, including the last soldier, are possible to realize by July 15," Susak stressed. He added, "In that context, I appeal to the Croatian public and displaced persons to, within a framework of reason, exert pressure on the Croatian government, and them (UNTAES), but also (I appeal) to the media to have understanding (for UNTAES) and to use their criticism constructively and to commend what is commendable. Because if we do not support these people, I think that we will bring ourselves in a situation which would extend this already too long lasting an agony for another six months," Susak said. Asked whether the UNTAES mandate would not last until the year 1998, Susak said, "At leaving both generals, I asked whether they had a message for the President. The clear message was that in cooperation with us, it was possible to hold elections and withdraw the last UNTAES soldier out of Croatia by 15 July," Susak reiterated, stressing that he was an optimist. (hina) lm jn 262325 MET nov 96