PRESIDENT TUDJMAN RECEIVES US AMBASSADOR

( Editorial: --> 8655 ) ZAGREB, Sept 7 (Hina) - Croatian President Franjo Tudjman on Monday received US Ambassador William Montgomery following Montgomery's return from the United States. The two officials discussed the statement released following a meeting of the Croatian state leadership with Bosnian Croat leaders and yesterday's statement from the State Department, the President's Office said. Tudjman and Montgomery agreed that both sides should do everything in their power to avoid hasty decisions which could cause the situation in Bosnia-Herzegovina to deteriorate and prevent the regular organisation of elections. This could threaten the very implementation of the Dayton and Washington agreements, it was said. Croatia and the United States should both make efforts to continue their constructive cooperation, the two officials said. Today's meeting was also attended by the President's Chief-Of- Staff Hrvoje Sarinic. (hina) rml/sp 071556 MET sep 98