Croatian hardliner resigns

ZAGREB (Reuter) - Mate Boban, the hardline nationalist leader of the Bosnian Croats, resigned yesterday, an apparent casualty of growing international pressure on his political backers in Croatia.

He tendered his resignation at a meeting of the parliament of his self-proclaimed republic of Herzeg-Bosnia, Croatian Radio reported.

The resignation was immediately praised as 'wise and honourable' by the Croatian Foreign Minister, Mate Granic, who attended the meeting. His government faces possible economic sanctions for its support for Croats fighting in neighbouring Bosnia.