ZAGREB, Feb 12 (Hina) - Croatian Prime Minister Ivica Racan said on Wednesday that Croatia supported a peaceful solution to the Iraqi crisis and that it had not reached a decision on entering a war against Iraq.
ZAGREB, Feb 12 (Hina) - Croatian Prime Minister Ivica Racan said on
Wednesday that Croatia supported a peaceful solution to the Iraqi
crisis and that it had not reached a decision on entering a war
against Iraq. #L#
"Despite certain interpretations, Croatia has not made any
decisions about starting a war," said Racan at Wednesday's
extraordinary press conference.
"Croatia advocates peace and solving disputes by political means,"
said Racan, adding that Croatia was doing so because it had recently
experienced the horrors of war.
He recalled that Croatia, as member of the UN, was bound by
documents of the UN Security Council, and added that the government
was "prepared to support whatever is agreed on at the UN".
"However, if Croatia is to face requests to participate in
operations not decided on by the UN, we will know how to respond,"
Racan said.
According to him, this was a difficult decision behind which great
responsibility should stand, as must a respect for the Croatian
Constitution, law and the respect for the public opinion.
"If this should come about, we will stop and think soberly about the
consequences of this or that decision, all in line with the
Constitution and law, taking into consideration the public
opinion, and then make a decision," said Racan.
He added that until then "kicking up dust and stirring doubt into
Croatia's policy is not correct."
He said that some statements about Croatia's policy towards Iraq
could have been "better and less imprecise".
This, also relates to the statement by the Vilnius Group countries
which he said was imprecise and gave way to various
interpretations.
The statement, with which Foreign Minister Tonino Picula agreed,
"holds no obligations" and thus, Picula had not surpassed the
framework of the country's official policy.
(hina) lml sb