ZAGREB, Feb 6 (Hina) - The leaders of Croatian parliamentary parties on Thursday commented or issued short statements on Croatia's support to the international community in its efforts to disarm Iraq, voiced in today's statements by
the Foreign Ministry.
ZAGREB, Feb 6 (Hina) - The leaders of Croatian parliamentary
parties on Thursday commented or issued short statements on
Croatia's support to the international community in its efforts to
disarm Iraq, voiced in today's statements by the Foreign Ministry.
#L#
The leader of the Social Liberals, Drazen Budisa, said his party
opposed an attack against Iraq.
"We find the stand of the countries of the so-called old Europe more
reasonable and acceptable than that of the Vilnius Group. I hope
that a political solution will be found because if a military
intervention is launched, the consequences will be disastrous,"
Budisa said.
Pavle Kalinic of the Social Democrats said that Croatia was a member
of the Vilnius Group and the world's anti-terrorist coalition and
that it had offered support to the United States, although it would
not participate in the war against Iraq with its troops.
Croatia's taking part in a possible war (against Iraq) will
probably be based on providing airport services and granting the
use of its air space, if necessary, Kalinic said.
Vilnius Group countries (seven new NATO members and three
aspirants) support the efforts of the United States and
international community to disarm Iraq and unconditionally respect
Resolution 1441 of the U.N. Security Council which envisages Iraq's
full cooperation with U.N. inspectors.
Libra leader Jozo Rados said his party supported Croatia's decision
to join in the efforts of the international community to disarm
Iraq, and it particularly welcomed the fact that all related
decisions required the consent of the U.N. With that requirement,
there will be less division both in Croatian and international
politics, Rados said.
Liberal Party leader Ivo Banac said there was no doubt that the
Iraqi regime posed a threat to its citizens and neighbours.
However, there is no doubt that the U.S. is right in claiming that
the Iraqi regime is hiding weapons of mass destruction, Banac
added.
Nevertheless, he voiced doubt that the U.S. intervention was the
best way to put an end to destructive plans from Baghdad.
The path of restraint is slower and requires more patience but it is
safer with regard to the unavoidably negative effects of a military
intervention, Banac told Hina.
(hina) rml sb