PM: GOVT'S DECISION IN FAITH FOR PEACEFUL SOLUTION TO IRAQI CRISIS

ZAGREB, Feb 26 (Hina) - The Croatian government passed a decision on the use of Croatia's air space and airports for the needs of the coalition forces in case of a war in Iraq believing in a peaceful solution to the Iraqi crisis and hoping it will not have to decide on other forms of services to the forces led by the US, Prime Minister Ivica Racan said in parliament Wednesday. The premier informed MPs of the government's decision of this morning which, as he said, was adopted based on the world's general orientation towards the prevention of terrorism and the destruction of weapons for mass destruction. The government therefore decided to, within its possibilities, take a positive stand on requests of the United States from the so- called non-paper. By adopting the decision, the Croatian government allowed the use of the country's air space for flying and landing, fuel supply for civilian transport aircraft of the coalition forces at Croatian civilian airports. The premier stressed that the government had previously consulted with EU member countries and the United States and that it had adopted the decision with the understanding of these countries. He said this was "in a way a logic and inevitable decision". Racan stressed that countries which directly opposed the US stand regarding the solution to the Iraqi crisis had also decided to provide the coalition forces with certain services. "We hope that the government's decision will contribute to a peaceful solution to the Iraqi crisis and that we will not have to discuss some other forms of services which could possibly be asked of Croatia," Racan said. He reminded that a decision on allowing foreign military forces to enter Croatia's territory could be adopted only by parliament and added that if this was requested of Croatia, the issue would be included in parliament's agenda. (hina) it