Croatia is the only country whose leaders will meet the US President on the same day, the source said, dismissing media speculations that there was a misunderstanding between the prime minister and the president regarding the schedules of their visit to New York.
"President Mesic knows and knew that PM Sanader was invited to the round table discussion. PM Sanader received an invitation from President Bush to attend the round table discussion on democracy about two weeks ago," the government official said speaking on condition of anonymity.
Citing an interview by US Ambassador to Croatia Robert Bradtke in the Saturday issue of Vjesnik daily, the government official said that US officials had known that both Mesic and Sanader would arrive in New York and that Sanader would attend the round table discussion, while Mesic would attend the reception.
After participating in the Non-Aligned Movement summit in Cuba, President Mesic will attend the UN General Assembly session and head the Croatian delegation in New York, the source said.
In his capacity as head of the delegation, President Mesic will attend a formal dinner organised for the heads of delegations by US President Bush, the source said.
Before the reception, President Mesic will attend a ceremony at which Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will be presented with a conscientious objector award, while PM Sanader will attend a dinner after the award-giving ceremony.
PM Sanader will speak before the UN General Assembly on Wednesday, September 20.
President Mesic and PM Sanader agreed at the start of their terms that they would take turns in addressing the UN General Assembly and this year it is Sanader's turn to address it, the source said.
Croatia now must lobby for membership of the UN Security Council in 2008, the government official said, adding that this topic would be very important in meetings to be held by the prime minister and the president.
Before his address to the UN General Assembly, PM Sanader will also hold a lecture at Columbia University.
On Thursday, September 21, Sanader will meet the Governor of the State of New York, George Pataki, and later in the day he will meet representatives of Croatian American associations.
On Friday, September 22, Sanader will attend a conference at Yale University on the future of Southeast Europe.
Asked about the government's position on President Mesic's participation in the Non-Aligned Movement summit in Havana and if it expected negative reactions from the USA, the government official said that Mesic's attendance at the summit should be viewed in the context of lobbying for membership of the Security Council in 2008.
Whether PM Sanader will meet US President Bush will signal the US position on this matter, and if the meeting takes place, it will be a clear sign of friendship and support. The Croatian government expects the meeting to take place before the NATO summit in Riga scheduled for November 29, the government official said.