CROATIA & USA - 1996 AND BEYOND Dayton Accords, One Year Later The General Framework for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina hammered out at the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, in 1995 was a direct result of changes in the balance of power on the ground brought about by tactical Croatian military action and concerted international action, led by the United States and NATO. It is internationally recognized that, in particular, Croatia s liberation of its occupied territories in August of 1995, which also prevented the fall of the UN safe area of Bihac in neighboring Bosnia and Herzegovina, constituted a major factor in taming the recalcitrant Bosnian Serbs and in bringing them to the negotiating table. Broadly known as the Dayton Accords, this compendium of agreements remains vital to peace and stability in Southeastern Europe, in the years to come, and it is through the Dayton peace process that Eastern Slavonia will successfully and peacefully be reintegrated within the rest of Croatia. The Dayton Accords are also a building block of Croatia s relationship with the  United States and other NATO allies.   In the pursuit of its national interests, Croatia remains committed to the full implementation of the Dayton Accords; measurable and significant progress has already been made. The killing has stopped, and the rebuilding process has begun. In September 1996, general elections were held for the joint institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and those institutions have begun to function. Croatia is also working very hard to resolve the outstanding issues in the  implementation process put forth by the Dayton Accords, and this is particularly true with regard to our efforts to strengthen the Croat-Bosniak Federation.      Croatia has been supporting both military implementation and stabilization forces  missions to the fullest (IFOR and SFOR, respectively), including providing substantial logistical support and cooperation. The close, cooperative relationship that has been built between Croatia and NATO forces and its overall contribution to the peace process strengthen Croatia s case for admission as a full member of NATO and other Western institutions.     The peaceful reintegration of Eastern Slavonia, the most important Croatian foreign policy goal, is another major aspect of the Dayton Accords. Beginning in 1991, Eastern Slavonia was occupied by Serbian forces, and most of its non-Serb population was driven out or killed. Approximately 96,000 displaced persons from this region are now living in other parts of Croatia. As part of the Dayton implementation process, Eastern Slavonia is to be returned to the full administration of the Croatian Government by July 1997.     In the interim, the area is under the administration of the United Nations Transitional Administration in Eastern Slavonia (UNTAES). UNTAES is headed by U.S. General Jacques Klein who bears the greatest credit for the achievements accomplished so far. Local elections for Eastern Slavonia are scheduled for April 13, simultaneously with local elections throughout the Republic of Croatia. Croatia expects that the terms of the peace agreement, that serves as a basis for the reintegration process, will be entirely fulfilled, and that Eastern Slavonia will be reintegrated on time. Occasional instances of extremist behavior by the local Serb population will hopefully not jeopardize the entire process.      Croatia is highly sensitive to the concerns of the Serbs living in this region, and has reiterated guarantees of civil rights and security, and urged Serbs to remain when untaes administration ends. The Letter of Intent which was adopted by the Security Council negotiated between the Croatian Government, the UNTAES Administration and the local Serbian population offers the best proof of a serious and sincere desire on the part of Croatia to seek, and hopefully find, tolerance, understanding and peace in Eastern Slavonia. Croatia has been doing its utmost to provide the necessary documentation to all Croatian citizens in Eastern Slavonia so that the upcoming elections and the reintegration process can proceed as efficiently as possible. Indeed, President Tudjman has made many public overtures to the Serbs living in Eastern Slavonia over the past year. And General Klein has termed Croatia s most recent effort in this regard  a major step towards reconciliation.  Croatia believes that the successful termination of the UNTAES mission is of essential importance for Croatia, and that every step should be taken in order to enable the return of displaced persons within the shortest possible  time, and to revive overall economic and social life in the region.      Overall, the Dayton peace process offers both the roadmap to peace and stability in the region, as well as proof of Croatia s continuing commitment to the Western values it has so long shared. The Dayton Accords are an unequivocal demonstration of support for democracy, free markets, freedom of movement and religious and ethnic tolerance. They provide a framework for each nation in our region to enjoy the fruits of independence, peace and freedom.