CROATIAN PRESIDENT ON IRAQU SITUATION

NEW YORK, Sept 23 (Hina) - Croatian President Stjepan Mesic said in New York on Monday that Croatia would help the stabilisation process in Iraq if bound to do so by a UN Security Council Resolution and in line with Croatian national interests. #L# Mesic is taking part in the 58th UN General Assembly which will focus on Iraq and the struggle against terrorism. Croatian reporters covering the Assembly asked Mesic whether Croatia would help the stabilisation process in Iraq in the military sense or in other ways. "If the UN adopts such a resolution which will bind us, as a loyal member, to participate to a certain extent (...) we will act accordingly," said Mesic, adding that "in either case we seek a UN resolution". Mesic said at this moment he could not say what Croatia's decision would be regarding the deployment of its soldiers and other forms of assistance to Iraq, adding that the government, parliament and head of state would make a decision on this matter. "We will adopt a decision which is in accordance with the UN Resolution, but primarily in accordance with our national interests," Mesic said. Speaking about the Croatia-U.S. relations, Mesic said the two countries had good relations. He added there were differences in opinion on some issues, but that this was a matter of democratic relations and it "must not hamper our overall relations". Commenting on the struggle against terrorism, Mesic said Croatia and the U.S. had almost identical standpoints. Croatia's head of state said it was important to eliminate terrorist groups and block their sources of funding and destroy the environment breeding terrorism. Commenting on a speech he is to deliver before the General Assembly today, Mesic said he would focus, among other things, on UN reforms. On Monday, Mesic held talks with the president of the Open Society, George Soros, on the role of the Open Society in Croatia. (HINA) IT