DUBROVNIK, Aug 20 (Hina) - The Croatian government will seriously consider the United States' request regarding the signing of a bilateral agreement on the non-extradition of US citizens to the International Criminal Court, Croatian
Foreign Minister Tonino Picula said after meeting US Senators John McCain and Fred Thomson in Dubrovnik on Tuesday.
DUBROVNIK, Aug 20 (Hina) - The Croatian government will seriously
consider the United States' request regarding the signing of a
bilateral agreement on the non-extradition of US citizens to the
International Criminal Court, Croatian Foreign Minister Tonino
Picula said after meeting US Senators John McCain and Fred Thomson
in Dubrovnik on Tuesday. #L#
After a short meeting behind closed doors, Picula said he told his
guests that the non-extradition of US citizens was a very delicate
issue for Croatia, especially due to its obligations towards the
war crimes tribunal in The Hague.
McCain said the Croatian public did not have to worry that US
soldiers would dodge possible responsibility for war crimes. If
they commit a war crime, courts in the United States will prosecute
them, unlike courts in other countries which do not prosecute war
crimes, he said.
McCain believes that the United States has to take decisive steps in
relation to Iraq, whose regime he says threatens his country's
national interests. These steps are to be taken only after a debate
in Congress and talks with European allies, he said.
The two senators thanked Croatia for its support for the anti-
terrorist coalition, while Picula thanked the US guests,
particularly Senator McCain, for supporting Croatia.
McCain is responsible for the adoption of the Congress declaration
on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of Croatia's recognition.
(hina) rml sb