FOREIGN MINISTRY RESPONSES TO INCORRECT HEADLINE IN VJESNIK

ZAGREB, Jan 23 (Hina) - Croatian Foreign Ministry on Thursday released a statement saying that a headline "Croatian-Slovenian agreement; from now on, together against American regional approach," published in the Vjesnik daily on 23 January, does not correspond with anything from the contents of talks held during Croatian-Slovenian working consultations at Tuheljske Toplice (spa) on 21 January 1997. "The headline matches neither a statement issued by the Croatian Foreign Ministry on the talks, nor the contents of the text," the Ministry said. "The Republic of Croatia and the Republic of Slovenia have their own views on regional initiatives in the region," it said. Croatia notified Ambassador Schifter of its stance on the U.S. approach and released it publicly after the talks between Croatian President Franjo Tudjman, Croatian top officials and Ambassador Schifter. At Tuheljske Toplice the Croatian and Slovenian delegations exchanged views and stance on the U.S. initiative called SECI, the statement said. "Agreement" on the joint action against the U.S. regional approach "exists only in the headline of the article," the statement added. (hina) jn mš 232257 MET jan 97