OSCE MISSION HEAD HOLDS TALKS WITH CRO DEPUTY DEFENSE MINISTER

( Editorial: --> 3198 ) ZAGREB, Feb 19 (Hina) - The head of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) mission in Croatia, Tim Guldimann, Thursday held talks with Croatian Deputy Defence Minister Lt. Gen. Kresimir Cosic. The talks focused on normalisation of living in Croatia and preparations at the Ministry of Defence for the inclusion of Croatia into the Partnership for Peace, both parties told reporters. OSCE's assessments will be taken into consideration in discussions at NATO and in deciding on the extension of the Stabilisation Force mandate, Guldimann said. He said the OSCE mission could only make a political assessment of the situation in Croatia. Deputy Defense Minister Cosic said that "all information put forward in talks with Guldimann will be a useful argument for Croatia" in more promptly accessing the Partnership for Peace as, Cosic said, Guldimann, who is travelling to Brussels Monday to meet with NATO officials, will also put forward "certain information relating to transition in the Croatian Defense Ministry". (hina) ha jn 191835 MET feb 98