WASHINGTON, March 19 (Hina) - Croatia-U.S. relations are better than ever and the U.S. has not asked Croatia to choose between the U.S. and the EU in the context of the upcoming military action in Iraq, Ambassador Ivan Grdesic told
Hina on Tuesday.
WASHINGTON, March 19 (Hina) - Croatia-U.S. relations are better
than ever and the U.S. has not asked Croatia to choose between the
U.S. and the EU in the context of the upcoming military action in
Iraq, Ambassador Ivan Grdesic told Hina on Tuesday. #L#
Asked to comment on the relations in the light of a possible war,
Croatia's ambassador to Washington said, "We have been given
assurances on several occasions that Croatia is not asked to take
sides and choose between the U.S. and the EU, which we can't do
anyway".
Grdesic said Croatia was trying to be "a member of the transatlantic
alliance, and at the same time a member of the European Union".
He recalled that the Croatian government systematically advocated
the stand "that the military disarmament of Iraq has to be carried
out with the support of the U.N. Security Council".
"At the same time, we believe that Hussein's regime poses a threat
not only to other peoples but mostly to the Iraqis themselves, and
he has to be forced to annihilate the weapons of mass destruction.
This is why the Croatian government will fulfil the obligations it
has taken on in that struggle and give serious consideration to
possible new requests."
The ambassador said Croatia had engaged in the global fight against
terrorism.
"Croatia has proved itself a partner in the war on terror, has
contributed to international and U.S. troops and efforts in
Afghanistan, and is contributing to the fight against the threat of
global terrorism in other ways. Croatia is a participant in this
struggle, not a mere political supporter."
Grdesic said current Croatia-United States relations were at an
all-time high.
"They are directed at political partnership and economic
cooperation. The U.S. treats us as a factor of peace and security in
this part of the world, as a state it can do business, cooperate and
build a common future with."
The ambassador believes Croatia's incumbent authorities "have
won...democratic and partner credibility in Washington".
Grdesic said that "free, united, and prosperous Europe is in great
measure the result of U.S. support to such a Europe (in which)
Croatia, too, has a place".
Despite differences and disagreements, the basic values of
freedom, democracy, human rights, and anti-terrorism are common,
he told Hina.
Prime Minister Ivica Racan said yesterday Croatia was willing to
actively participate only in armed operations rubber-stamped by
the U.N. Security Council. He said, however, that Croatia would act
on its commitments to the U.S. and its allies by allowing the use of
its air space and airports for landing and refuelling.
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