ZAGREB, May 31 (Hina) - Croatian Prime Minister Ivica Racan said in an interview with Zagreb's Radio 101 on Saturday that Croatia would speak "to its American friends" to see if the issue of the US request that it sign an agreement on
the non-extradition of US citizens to the International Criminal Court "can be solved without the US setting an ultimatum".
ZAGREB, May 31 (Hina) - Croatian Prime Minister Ivica Racan said in
an interview with Zagreb's Radio 101 on Saturday that Croatia would
speak "to its American friends" to see if the issue of the US request
that it sign an agreement on the non-extradition of US citizens to
the International Criminal Court "can be solved without the US
setting an ultimatum". #L#
Asked whether Croatia would meet the US request, or risk the
cancellation of US military assistance and endorse European Union
standards, Racan said Croatia would endorse EU standards and
expected the USA to realise "that setting such an ultimatum is not
good" considering Croatia's aspirations to join the EU.
There is a possibility Croatia will send its soldiers to Iraq
considering that it expressed readiness to help the post-war
reconstruction of that country, Racan said.
Asked whether the state would provide collateral for the "Viktor
Lenac" shipyard, Racan said it would, on condition the loan was
granted by the World Bank and the shipyard's owners.
If there is no help from the owner and the World Bank, the government
will urge initiating bankruptcy proceedings in the company, the PM
said.
The general situation in the shipbuilding industry is very complex,
he said, adding that profitable companies should be assisted by the
government, however, the situation in all other companies should be
radically revised.
The PM believes that Croatia's debt of US$16.5 billion is not
alarming. The state's share in the debt revolves around seven
billion, which can be covered with foreign currency reserves, while
the rest of the debt refers to companies and private banks, he
said.
Racan believes that loans sought for development purposes are good
debts which will be repaid.
Commenting on the damage caused by recent droughts, Racan said the
real extent of damage on the most affected crops would be
established in August.
Asked by listeners about the unsatisfactory pace of the state
administration reform, Racan said the government would put forward
a new bill on the government precisely defining the completion of
the reform.
He dismissed speculations that the EU had suggested holding
parliamentary elections this year, and reiterated that Croatia had
to meet EU requirements by this October.
He also announced the possibility the visa regime with Serbia would
be frozen by the autumn on condition Serbia gave its contribution to
the normalisation of bilateral relations.
(hina) rml