CROATIAN FOREIGN MINISTER ADDRESSES HOUSE OF COUNTIES SESSION

ZAGREB, Nov 24 (Hina) - The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Croatia, Mate Granic, addressed a Wednesday session of the House of Counties of the Croatian Parliament. Minister Granic stressed that one of the objectives of the Croatian President's peace initiative was to establish a cease-fire as soon as possible and settle the problem of the UNPAs in Croatia and the conflict in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Although the peace initiative shows a high degree of flexibility, the President has not given up the territorial integrity of the Republic of Croatia, Granic noted. Speaking of the European Union's initiative, Granic said that it clearly stated that the UNPAs were the territory of the Republic of Croatia and that sanctions imposed on the so-called Federal Republic of Yugoslavia would not be lifted for the time being. Commenting on the meaning of the term "modus vivendi", Minister Granic pointed out that it meant cessation of fire and establishment of major communications, including the Zagreb-Slavonski Brod motorway, railways and oil pipe-lines. He said Croatia supported the initiative since it contained numerous elements of the Croatian President's initiative. Croatia will seek additional guarantees regarding the respect for its territorial integrity, heavy weapons control and return of the refugees to their homes. It will also request that the problem of the UNPAs be solved in parallel with the problem of stopping the war in Bosnia- Herzegovina, Granic stressed. 241314 MET nov 93