SARINIC ON TALKS WITH LOCAL SERBS

ZAGREB, June 8 (Hina) - Leader of the Croatian delegation to the talks with local Serbs from the UNPAs Hrvoje Sarinic said on Wednesday that the next round of talks would take place on June 16 and 17 at the Plitvice National Park (UNPA North). "The problem of the UNPAs has much to do with the resolution of the situation in Bosnia-Herzegovina, and the key to both is in Belgrade. No doubt the Serbs have now decided that they have no longer anything to gain by playing the waiting game. In other words, they have given in to the pressure of the international community," Hrvoje Sarinic told Croatian radio, commenting on the Serbs' decision to negotiate Asked about the topics of the Plitvice talks, Sarinic said: "We are going to talk about the overall normalisation of relations. That, of course, includes political and economic issues. As far as the agenda is concerned, the Croatian delegation will take a very flexible stance. We are willing to talk about everything except the sovereignty of the Republic of Croatia over the UNPAs. That is not negotiable." Commenting on Serb leader Martic's statement that the talks would take place on the territory of the 'Krajina' Sarinic said: "This is Martic's story, but he may have to change the tune yet. As before, Croatia will do everything to resolve the problem of the UNPAs by peaceful means. But, as President Tudjman said the other day, if that problem is not resolved during the present UNPROFOR mandate, Croatia will not be willing to extend the mandate and will be forced to take all the necessary measure to ensure its sovereignty over the entire territory." Under the March 29 Agreement on Cessation of Hostilities in Croatia, the second round of talks on economic and political issues was to take place within a fortnight. The local Serbs, however, have so far spared no effort to dodge the talks. 082000 MET jun 94