SARINIC'S INTERVIEW WITH UN TELEVISION

ZAGREB, May 16 (Hina) - "The speedy clarification of the situation within the leadership of Croatian Serbs," and the resumption of the dialogue with the Croatian Government were two fundamental preconditions for peace, Croatian President's chief-of-staff, Hrvoje Sarinic, said in an interview with the UN television on Tuesday. Sarinic described the disagreement among Croatian Serb leaders as major reason for the stalemate in the peace process. Sarinic assessed that there were disputes between a liberal group of Croatian Serbs led by Borislav Mikelic, and extremists headed by Milan Martic. They disputed with each other about the issue whether they should seek solution inside Croatia or "in uniting all Serb countries." The UN television was interested in Croatia's standpoints on the role and mandate of UNCRO in western Slavonia, and in the prospects for Serbs there. Sarinic emphasized that Croatia "is ready to accept UNCRO in western Slavonia" with two headquarters; in Jasenovac and Stara Gradiska, as well as an unlimited number of monitors. Serbs who decided to leave the area - and around 800 of them have expressed such wish so far - made such a move on their own will. Asked whether they could come back Sarinic said they had opted for the other homeland and they "should live with their own decision." More than 1,000 decided to stay in western Slavonia. They would receive necessary documents and legal papers so that they might enjoy the equal status with other citizens, Sarinic said. As regards Serbs who had left western Slavonia in 1991, Sarinic said Croatia would be happy if "all who went anywhere", might return to their homes. However, he added, "the process should be carried on in two ways", so that Croatian displaced people could return to eastern Slavonia as well. Sarinic believed that the issue about ownership rights of Serbs who left Croatia was not a separated problem, but the issue existed in all republics of the former Yugoslavia, and should be solved within the procedure of succession. (hina) jn mms 161807 MET may 95