US AMBASSADOR TO CROATIA ON ZAGREB-FOUR PLAN

ZAGREB, Feb 8 (Hina) - US Ambassador to Croatia, Peter Galbraith, said yesterday that the Zagreb-four plan "established Croatia's sovereignty on the whole of its territory." Appearing as a guest in a late-night Croatian current affairs show, Galbraith said the plan enabled Croatia to control its borders and to function as an economic whole, without internal borders. On the other hand, the Serbs were given the autonomy to govern their own affairs in the areas where they were in the majority. "The plan creates a self-governing area in Sectors North and South where the Serbs are in the majority," Galbraith said. As for the refugees, the plan contained "real guarantees and arrangements" which would ensure that they effectively return to their homes, Galbraith said. According to Galbraith, no one could predict the outcome of a military action. Everyone knew that it was possible to liberate Sector NOrth, but not Sector East - where most of the refugees had their homes, Galbraith said. He described Knin's rejection of the plan as a "serious mistake" and an "unfortunate decision, counterproductive for their own interests." As for the extension of the UNPROFOR mandate, some progress must be achieved at the political level, for one could not sit by, wait, and pay these peace-keepers in former Yugoslavia forever, Galbraith said. "We have other problems at home on which to spend all that money," he said, referring to the fact that the US financed 51 percent of the mandate. "We will support UNPROFOR, but the end must be in sight," Galbraith concluded. (hina) as sd 081042 MET feb 95