ZAGREB, Feb 22 (Hina) - It is an obligation of the Croatian government to reach an agreement with the U.S. Administration on Washington's request for the use of Croatia's air space and bases in case of a war against Iraq, read a
statement issued by the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) on Saturday.
ZAGREB, Feb 22 (Hina) - It is an obligation of the Croatian
government to reach an agreement with the U.S. Administration on
Washington's request for the use of Croatia's air space and bases in
case of a war against Iraq, read a statement issued by the Croatian
Democratic Union (HDZ) on Saturday. #L#
Prime Minister Ivica Racan said in Athens on Friday Croatia had not
yet responded to an inquiry from the United States regarding the use
of its air space and planes being supplied with fuel at its air bases
in the event of a war against Iraq. The PM said that Zagreb had
received certain inquiries in the form of a non-paper regarding
services it was willing to provide in case of the war against Iraq,
adding the non-paper had been forwarded to other countries as well.
Racan told Croatian reporters that Croatia had not made a decision
yet on the matter.
"The HDZ supports the anti-terrorist coalition's struggle and has a
high degree of understanding for the American and international
sensitiveness to threats by arms for mass destruction," the
statement of the Croatian strongest opposition party said.
Therefore the HDZ stresses that it was the Ivica Racan Cabinet's
duty to reach the agreement with Washington on the use of Croatia's
air space and bases.
"We remind that during NATO's intervention in Kosovo and
Yugoslavia, the then Croatian government reached such agreement
and allowed flights of NATO aircraft over the territory of the
Republic of Croatia," the HDZ's statement said.
(hina) ms