CROATIAN OFFICIALS MEET CONTACT GROUP MEMBERS

ZAGREB, Jan 14 (Hina) - The Croatian president's special envoy Miomir Zuzul and foreign policy adviser Zeljko Matic met Contact Group officials at Zagreb aiport this evening to discuss the situation in Croatia and its decision to end the UNPROFOR mandate. Zuzul said Croatia was interested in maintaining further cooperation with the international community and Contact Group countries. "I believe that we'll try and find a model that would lead towards a peaceful settlement." He stressed Croatia insisted on its decision and would not agree to changing the deadline. "We've got two and a half to three months to reach a political settlement. I think the Contact Group members took us seriously and we can expect their participation in it," Zuzul added. Zuzul said the Contact Group was concerned about further developments in Croatia, agreeing that a positive impetus to the peace process was needed. "We have made it clear that we hope this is a stimulus towards peace and not war," he emphasized. According to Zuzul, the Contact Group's talks with the Bosnian government in Sarajevo and with Serb leaders in their stronghold of Palefailed to produce any major results. He said, challenging media speculation, that the Contact Group still regarded its original peace plan as a foundation for negotiations. "The Contact Group members hope to strengthen the cessation- of-hostilities agreement and find a solution within four months," Zuzul said. Croatia regarded the Contact Group plan for Bosnia as the only proposal at this juncture which could provide a basis for a negotiated settlement, he added. Zuzul said the international community could contribute to the resolution of the crises in Bosnia and Croatia by exerting pressure on Belgrade, Bosnian Serbs and all those opposing a peaceful settlement. (hina) vm 142109 MET jan 95