ZAGREB, March 21 (Hina) - Amnesty International Croatia (AIH) stated on Friday US Ambassador Lawrence Rossin's statement that Croatia will face the consequences of its not supporting the US attack on Iraq "lacks seriousness and is
irresponsible and worrying".
ZAGREB, March 21 (Hina) - Amnesty International Croatia (AIH)
stated on Friday US Ambassador Lawrence Rossin's statement that
Croatia will face the consequences of its not supporting the US
attack on Iraq "lacks seriousness and is irresponsible and
worrying". #L#
"AIH believes that Ambassador Rossin's statement lacks seriousness
and is irresponsible and worrying considering the fact that it
comes from the highest US diplomat in our country, who for
incomprehensible reasons sends disturbing and unacceptable
messages to Croatian citizens," reads a statement issued by the
Croatian branch of the international organisation for the
protection of human rights.
AIH notes that it understands the fact that US officials find it
difficult to explain to the domestic public the fact that only 40 of
190 UN members support the policy of war at any cost, which it says
the US administration has been conducting.
"However, that certainly cannot be the reason for the US Ambassador
to Croatia to address, in an inappropriate way, Croatian citizens
who, by the way, have been very hospitable towards him and his
family," the statement noted.
Rossin's statement is even less understandable if one considers the
fact that the Croatian government has already supported the US
government and continues doing so, despite the fact that from the
point of view of international law the war against Iraq is illegal
and is not approved by a vast majority of Croatian citizens, AIH
further notes.
"Instead of threatening the citizens of this country, as well as all
others in the world who believe that a war, if inevitable, must be
waged exclusively in line with international law, the US
government, as an occupying force, and all other governments
supporting it, as well as the Iraqi authorities, are urged to abide
by the principles of international humanitarian law," reads the
statement.
AIH calls on all sides in the conflict to protect civilians, not use
non-selective weapons, secure protection and help for refugees and
displaced people, see that war crimes suspects are brought to
justice and the Geneva Conventions are respected, and to support
the possibility of deploying human rights monitors in the whole
territory of Iraq.
(hina) rml