BURNS - U.S. EXPECTS CROATIA TO ADHERE TO HIGH STANDARDS

WASHINGTON, 16 June (Hina) - The U.S. administration stated on Monday it would continue to urge Croatia to fulfil all of its obligations from the Dayton agreement and to secure the return of Serb refugees. Croatia wants to be regarded as a European country and we want Croatia to adhere to very high standards, State Department spokesman Nicholas Burns told a press conference in Washington. We expect more from Tudjman and Croatia than, say, from Milosevic, Burns said. Croatia's integration into Euro-Atlantic associations was being considered and that was why expectations towards Croatia had to be higher, Burns said. Further U.S. support for economic assistance to Croatia would depend on Croatia's conduct, Burns said. The U.S. State Secretary Madeleine Albright confirmed in Washington today that the Croatian authorities were acquainted with the fact that their commitment to the Dayton agreement would be closely observed by the United States and its partners. (hina) rm 162300 MET jun 97