SUSAK AND ZUBAK ON MUNICH TALKS

ZAGREB, Feb 6 (Hina) - Croatian Defence Minister Gojko Susak and the Bosnian Federation President Kresimir Zubak last night gave an interview with Croatian Television. They commented on the Munich talks aimed at strengthening the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina, that had been held earlier on Sunday. Susak, who also met in Munich with his US counterpart William Perry, the Commander of the US Joint Headquarters of Armed Force, General John Shalikashvilli, and US Assistant Secretary of State Richard Holbrooke, said his talks with Perry, Shalikashvilli and Holbrooke, focused on Croatia's decision to end the UNPROFOR mandate, negotiations with Serbs from occupied Croatian territories and problems of establishing the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina. The United States believed that our decision to cancel the UNPROFOR mandate was premature. However, they accepted Croatia's arguments for such decision, Susak said. The question to be concerned now was how NATO and the United States can involve in the operation of the UN peace keepers' secure withdrawal, Susak said. He added that NATO would not participate if it was not to command the operation, but UN Secretary-General Boutros Boutros- Ghali and the UN special envoy Yasushi Akashi believed the UNPROFOR should assume command over the operation of UN peace keepers' exit. The US officials expressed fear that the fresh conflict might re-erupt. Susak reiterated to them that Croatia did not opt for war. He warned, however, that Croatia would not tolerate indefinitely the unsettled situation in its UN Protected Areas. Susak and the US high officials also tackled the announced forthcoming meeting between Croatian Foreign Minister Mate Granic and his Serbian counterpart Vladislav Jovanovic in Belgrade. Susak said the negotiations conducted by Croatia with Serbia were aimed at normalizing the relations between two countries, and they would not be to the detriment to Bosnia-Herzegovina. Bosnian Federation President Kresimir Zubak commented on the Munich plan on supporting the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina. The first item of the plan dealt with appointing an international arbitrator who would decide on all matters referred to him by either side. The arbitrator whose decisions would be binding on all parties, should be selected by mutual agreement. Zubak said both Bosnian Croats and Moslem were to consider who might be the arbitrator. He said that Bosnian Croats believed the more active role of the United States in this area would be welcome. Zubak reiterated that during the Munich talks Bosnian Croats and Moslems had again showed different views on interpreting the Constitution of the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina. But those differences were not so big to cause the tension between two peoples who want to carry out the achieved agreements, he said. (Hina) mms rv 061243 MET feb 95