CROATIAN PRESIDENT RECEIVES U.S. ENVOY - STATEMENT

ZAGREB, Jan 14 (Hina) - Croatian President Franjo Tudjman on Tuesday received US envoy Richard Shifter, an adviser at the US National Security Council. Shifter presented the details and purpose of the Southeastern European Cooperative Initiative (SECI) launched by the United States, the President's Office said in a statement. Croatia can discuss its participation in specific traffic and economic projects because as a Central European country bordering Southeastern Europe it can make a positive impact on peace and stability in the neighbouring Balkan region, Tudjman said. Tudjman ruled out the possibility of establishing any formal links between Croatia and the countries of Southeastern Europe. Also present at the talks were Presidential Chief of Staff Hrvoje Sarinic, Foreign Minister Mate Granic and Presidential Foreign Policy Adviser Zeljko Matic, the statement concluded. (hina) vm 141602 MET jan 97