EXCERPTS FROM TUDJMAN'S INTERVIEW WITH ASSOCIATED PRESS TV

ZAGREB, May 5 (Hina) - Croatian President Franjo Tudjman gave an interview with Associated Press TV broadcast (APTV) last night when he said that the government of the Republic of Croatia was ready to discuss the extension of the UNCRO mandate until autumn if Croatian Serb rebels accepted the invitation to participate in negotiations. 'However, if rebel Serbs continue with provocative military actions, we will have to decide our next move, Tudjman added. Asked to confirm that he gave time to Croatian Serb rebels until autumn Croatian president said that this statement was true on condition that they accepted the peaceful reintegration. Replying to a remark that anyway there had been an attempt to destroy insurgent Serbs' rocket launchers, President Tudjman described the attempt as a natural step which Croatian authorities had to take. 'I could guarantee that all Croatian military commanders have been ordered not to undertake any kind of attacks. But in circumstances when Serbs attack not only Zagreb but also Sisak, Karlovac, Otocac and other Croatian towns it was natural that local military commanders take steps in order to prevent human and territorial losses' he added. 'After the lesson they have been taught in Croatia Croatian Serb insurgents should accept a peaceful solution in Croatia, President Tudjman said in the interview with APTV, part of which Croatian political broadcast ("Slikom na Sliku") carried last night. (hina) mm mms 051241 MET may 95