GRANIC PRAISES ROLE OF FRANCE IN REACHING PEACE SOLUTION

PARIS, March (Hina) - In his statement in this evening's broadcasting of the Croatian television Croatian Foreign Minister, Dr. Mate Granic, said that "Croatia appreciates the role of France, especially of its Foreign Minister Juppe in solving the crisis in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croatia." Minister Granic gave this statement after his meeting with Minister Alain Juppe in Paris. Croatian Foreign Minister also said that the signed Croat- Bosniac agreement was "the firs step toward peace." He also agreed with the French standpoints that "no lasting peace can be achieved unless the third side be included, and by the Croatian side the Serbs will be offered an agreement under the same conditions." Minister Granic reiterated that Zagreb "is willing to normalize relations with Belgrade, but together with a solution to the UNPAs in Croatia and their reintegration in Croatia, as it has been proposed by Juppe-Kinkel plan that should be revitalized. 032106 MET mar 94