GHALI PROPOSES NEW UN MANDATE IN CROATIA

WASHINGTON, March 24 (Hina) - The UN Secretary-General, Boutros Boutros-Ghali, yesterday submitted a report to the Security Council on new UN mandates in Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Macedonia. "The differences between the Croatian Government stance and the views held by Krajina Serbs regarding the role and functions of new forces remain wide and further talks are necessary," the report said. Ghali recommended breaking up the UN force into three separate structures: UNPF-1 (in Croatia), UNPF-2 (in Bosnia- Herzegovina) and UNPF-3 (in Macdonia). He recommended no changes in the mandates for the forces in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Macedonia. The headquarters of all three missions would be based in Zagreb. Ghali suggested that peace forces in Croatia be scaled down but did not specify a number. The new mandate would take effect after the Security Council adopted the Secretary General's report on the details of the proposed mandate. But before that, Ghali will have to get both sides to agree with the new mandate and will have to conclude an agreement on the new forces' status with the Croatian Government. Ghali's proposal for the new mandate includes support to the implementation of the March 29 Cease-Fire Agreement, the Dec 2 Economic Agreement and all the elements of the present UN peace plan that have been approved by both sides. This would include the UN presence on Croatia's international borders, confidence- building measures and humanitarian goals. "I am convinced that a three-stage negotiation process is the only practical road to a lasting peace," the report said. The negotiations need to be supported by a "consistent and conscientious national reconciliation and confidence-building policy, implemented by the Croatian Government," the repŠort said. "Such a policy should include a wide amnesty, freedom to travel, free access to the media and encouragement to human contacts on the ground." The Secretary-General praised President Tudjman for having recognised the dangers of a premature withdrawal of peace-keeping forces from Croatia. (hina) as 251100 MET mar 95