ZAGREB, Feb 28 (Hina) - Croatian Foreign Minister Tonino Picula on Friday spoke to representatives of the Civil Initiative that organised a Zagreb rally protesting against a possible war on Iraq. Picula explained his ministry's and
Croatian government's attitude towards the possible war in Iraq.
ZAGREB, Feb 28 (Hina) - Croatian Foreign Minister Tonino Picula on
Friday spoke to representatives of the Civil Initiative that
organised a Zagreb rally protesting against a possible war on Iraq.
Picula explained his ministry's and Croatian government's attitude
towards the possible war in Iraq. #L#
The civil initiative "Enough of Wars" that staged the protest rally
in Zagreb's main square on February 15, was represented by Vesna
Terselic, Marina Skrabalo, Biljana Bijelic and Hrvoje Juric.
As reported, the members of the initiative advised Minister Picula
that a petition was signed during the protest by 14,000 citizens
from Zagreb and another eighteen towns throughout Croatia.
They expressed their disagreement with the support given to the
statement issued by the Vilnius Group and questioned about the
possibility of Croatia's neutrality in the affair and if it was
possible to withhold further services upon requests of the U.S. and
its allies in case of the absence of any expressive resolution by
the UN Security Council. The initiative was interested in the
government's attitude to accept Iraqi refugees should they seek
asylum if the war in fact occurs.
Minister Picula said he respected the voice of the public and
understood he motives behind the protest and that since he had come
at the helm of this ministry, Croatia's policies were based on
reconciliation, peace and normalisation which was particularly
evident in relations with neighbouring countries.
Croatia has multilateral international obligations and support for
the Vilnius Group statement was the result of a well thought out
decision with the aim of putting pressure on Saddam Hussein's
regime. It is in Croatia's interest to use diplomatic means to
prevent war even outside its borders.
Croatia complies with all its international obligations and will
allow US civil transport planes to land. Any further demands will
have to be discussed publicly in the government and Sabor, the
ministry's statement noted.
The aim of Croatia's foreign policy at the moment is to access the
European Union and so Minister Picula assured the civil initiative
that their protest undoubtedly contributed to Croatia's bids to
come closer to the EU.
Asked whether or not further demands had been made to use Croatian
air space, Minister Picula said that no such request had been
received yet and that no secret agreement had been made in the
sphere of Croatia's foreign affairs.
(hina) sp