KNUT VOLLEBAEK ON LILLEHAMER TALKS

ZAGREB, Nov 4 (Hina) - The assistant to the co-chairmen of the International Conference on the former Yugoslavia, Ambassador Knut Vollebaek, held a news conference in Zagreb on Thursday on the recent negotiations between the delegations of the Republic of Croatia and the Serb local authorities in the UNPAs in Croatia. The negotiations, which took place in the Norwegian town of Lillehamer, broke up on Wednesday as the Serb representatives left the meeting. Mr Vollebaek found it a serious stalemate in the peace process and said that the talks could resume as early as next week. He noted that representatives of Germany and France had also taken part in the negotiations. We see the Norway negotiations as part of preparations for the so-called Franco-German initiative, said Mr Vollebaek. He explained that Paris and Bonn had decided to participate more actively in the effort of seeking a peaceful solution to the crisis. (END) m-vm 041807 MET nov 93