UN RESOLUTION ON CROATIA BREAKS WITH PAST, WILLIAMS SAYS

ZAGREB, Apr 2 (Hina) - A UN spokesman in Zagreb, Michael Williams, described the latest UN Security Council resolution on the new UN forces in Croatia as the break-up of the past. Williams believed that according to some indicators self-styled leaders of Croatian Serb rebels would accept the new mandate. In an interview with the state-run Croatian Television on Saturday night, Williams pointed out several important elements of the new resolution. It incorporated all best elements of former resolutions and mandate. At the same time the resolution presented an obvious step forward aimed at assisting in the control of chief border crossings at Croatia's internationally recognized borders with Bosnia-Herzegovina and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia/Montenegro), he said. Speaking of a letter, sent by the self-proclaimed rebel Serb leader to UN Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali, Williams described the letter as purely rhetorical. He held that rebel Serb leaders were probably displeased with the latest developments. We have got some indicators that, nevertheless, most of leaders and officials in Knin will accept the mandate, he said. He regarded this as very important, because UN officials needed the cooperation with the rebel Serb leaders at a practical level as to deploy UN troops along Croatia's borders. Commenting on statements of some self-proclaimed rebel Serb leaders that UN would have to leave "their territory" in the case of the adoption of the new mandate, Williams said they were not likely to demand UN troops' pull-out. If they asked such a move, they would take a risk of being accused by the entire international community. (hina) mms 021034 MET apr 95