FOREIGN MINISTER GRANIC AT PRESS BRIEFING

ZAGREB, Nov 17 (Hina) - "President Tudjman's peace initiative was supported by all, primarily as a commitment to peace," Croatian Vice-Premier and Foreign Minister Dr.Mate Granic said at a press briefing on his return from New York. "This initiative as well as the peace activities within in were the best answer to those who suspected that Croatia had decided on the military option," Dr.Granic stressed. He also said that the specific proposal given to the local Serbs in the UNPAs was positively evaluated, as was the clear signal sent to Belgrade in terms of resolving the problems of the UNPAs in Croatia. The weakest points of the French-German initiative is just the part on the UNPAs and the sanctions, Granic continued and added that he had been informed that the proposal was significantly improved and that Croatia will state its views to the European union on that in a day or two. Dr.Granic also asked the UN Secretary General to include certain elements of President Tudjman's peace initiative in his report to the UN Security Council. Also discussed was the situation in B-H, where it was said that it is necessary to reach an agreement of all three sides so that the peace forces, especially NATO, can come to this area, according to Dr.Granic. Concluding his press conference, Dr.Mate Granic emphasized that he is leaving for Brussels tomorrow for meetings in the EC, that he is meeting German Foreign Minister Klaus Kinski on Friday in Bonn, and that he is scheduled to attend a meeting of the Central European Initiative on Saturday in Debrecin. (End) 171901 MET nov 93