ZAGREB, Jan 8 (Hina)- Croatia has been monitoring the development of the crisis in the Middle East with concern and appeals to the government in Iraq to consistently co-operate in implementing the U.N.'s Resolution 1441 which can
contribute towards a peaceful solution to the crisis, the Foreign Ministry reported on Wednesday.
ZAGREB, Jan 8 (Hina)- Croatia has been monitoring the development
of the crisis in the Middle East with concern and appeals to the
government in Iraq to consistently co-operate in implementing the
U.N.'s Resolution 1441 which can contribute towards a peaceful
solution to the crisis, the Foreign Ministry reported on Wednesday.
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The Croatian government unanimously supported the adoption of the
U.N. Security Council's Resolution 1441 in November 2002 regarding
the inspection regime in Iraq.
Iraq must present credible evidence that it does not pose a threat
to world peace and that its actions will not increase the danger of a
war conflict, the Ministry stressed.
Within its capacity, Croatia is contributing towards the
successful work of the UNMOVIC inspection team in Iraq through the
participation of its expert inspectors, the Ministry's statement
continues.
Should the inspection team not succeed, Croatia believes that a
solution to the problem should be sought through the Security
Council. According to the interpretation of Resolution 1441 given
during the Security Council session at which it was adopted, in case
of any violation of the inspection regime by Iraq, the Security
Council should be consulted first.
In that regard, Croatia once again calls on Iraq to fully co-operate
with UNMOVIC inspectors and is waiting for a U.N. report expected
late in February. In that way, Croatia supports the respect of
international law and the role of that world organisation in
resolving crisis situations.
Croatia consistently advocates the control, banning and
annihilation of weapons for mass destruction and is very active in
the U.N. and other international forums in terms of consistent
application of all conventions that relate to this type of
weaponry.
Croatia also welcomes the efforts made by the U.S. as the leading
power in the international anti-terrorist coalition and by NATO. As
a candidate for membership to NATO, Croatia considers that the
alliance should be utilised even more in the fight against global
terrorism and in the defence of the highest democratic principles,
international peace and security.
Nevertheless, Croatia is concerned with any possible repercussions
of any military solution to the crisis in the entire region of the
Near and the Middle East. In that regard, the expected
repercussions of any possible escalation of the crisis could entail
a huge number of civilian victims, a mass refugee crises and
disruption to the global economy, the Foreign Ministry's statement
said.
(hina) sp/ha sb