CROATIAN-AMERICAN TALKS HAVE CLARIFIED OFFICIAL STANDPOINTS - PARO

( Editorial: --> 7031 ) ZAGREB, Aug 31 (Hina) - The talks between the highest Croatian state officials and the US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright have clarified the standpoints of both sides, Croatian Assistant Foreign Minister Josko Paro said in last night's Croatian Television news broadcast "Motrista". The Croatian President Franjo Tudjman and US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright said after the talks they disagreed over Bosnia and the state of democracy in Croatia. The statement Mrs Albright gave "included those steps which we have successfully taken as well as those which are yet to be taken," Paro said, adding the US Secretary of State concluded her statement saying she looked forward to continuing the dialogue. "This means that what happened today was not a conflict but further clarification of standpoints," Paro added. After the talks with President Tudjman, Albright said their views regarding Croatia's relationship to Bosnian Croats differed. President Tudjman warned about silent revision of the Dayton agreement stressing that the consistent implementation of the Washington and Dayton agreements was the only way to solve the Bosnian crisis. It is clear that the United States has invested much in the Bosnian peace process and generally in the former Yugoslavia and it is understandable that it wants to see results of its efforts and investments, Paro said. The United States considers Croatia to be the most able candidate for an efficient partnership since it has developed its democratic and economic standards and approached European states more than any other country involved in the peace process, Paro said. Yesterday's talks between Albright and Croatia's Foreign Minister Mate Granic focused on the organisation of an international conference on reconstruction and development in Croatia, the Assistant Foreign Minister said. The United States and the whole international community are aware of the fact that the process of refugee return in Croatia, for which Croatia was commended by the US Secretary of State, depends on the economic situation and reconstruction, Paro said. "The meetings with the Opposition and media representatives are in my opinion not some kind of direct support for the Opposition but rather support for democracy in Croatia," Paro concluded. (hina) rml 311555 MET aug 98