WASHINGTON CONCERNED ABOUT UNPROFOR LEAVING CROATIA

WASHINGTON, Jan 11 (Hina) - The US administration was concerned about reports that Croatia would request UNPROFOR to leave after its mandate expired at the end of March, State Department spokeswoman Christine Shelly said today. Shelly told a press conference the US administration believed UNPROFOR's contribution to stability in the Balkans was crucial. UNPROFOR was preventing clashes in Croatia which would otherwise escalate into a Serbian-Croatian war, she said. The State Department was to discuss the issue with Croatian special envoys Miomir Zuzul and Miroslav Tudjman, Shelly said. The US administration believed that the resolution of the crisis in Croatia was a key to establishing peace in the region. It hoped Zagreb would continue pursuing this goal, Shelly added. (hina) jn vr 112147 MET jan 95