ZAGREB, Feb 1 (Hina) - The new US Ambassador to Croatia, Lawrence Rossin, on Thursday expressed satisfaction with his stay in Croatia so far as well as belief that the US-Croatia relations would continue to advance during his
mandate.
ZAGREB, Feb 1 (Hina) - The new US Ambassador to Croatia, Lawrence
Rossin, on Thursday expressed satisfaction with his stay in Croatia
so far as well as belief that the US-Croatia relations would
continue to advance during his mandate. #L#
At a working lunch, organised for Croatian and foreign reporters,
Rossin said he saw in Croatia a possibility for increasing US
investments, especially in tourism and agriculture, but stressed
Croatia had to make additional efforts to attract foreign
investments, especially by adjusting its legislation.
An upcoming visit of Economy Minister Goranko Fizulic to the United
States and plans on organising a conference in Croatia where
foreign investors would be informed about investment possibilities
represent positive steps toward attracting US investments, the US
diplomat said.
Speaking about the policy of the new US administration in the region
and speculations about the possible withdrawal of US troops from
regional crisis spots, Rossin said he did not expect any drastic
changes. Although the new administration is only considering
possible changes in the US policy in the world and it is therefore
difficult to give any details on the subject, Rossin stressed the
United States had commitments in the region and all possible
changes would be carried out in agreement with US allies.
Answering a question about the future status of Kosovo and
Montenegro, Rossin said the United States was in principle against
their independence and the fragmentation into smaller states.
He did not want to speculate on the future of Kosovo and only said
the United States believed Montenegro should remain part of
Yugoslavia but as a result of a joint solution which would be in the
interest of both sides.
Asked about his stand on a recent proposal by financial magnate
George Soros about the establishment of a Balkan customs union,
Rossin said this was not part of the US policy. Washington is
interested in cooperation and the region's integration into the
European union, as well as in regional cooperation, but the US
policy is not to create a new Yugoslavia, he said.
According to Rossin, Washington also opposes the revision of the
Dayton peace agreement. There are many problems in the process of
refugee return, he said, adding much remained to be done. Some
positive steps have been made though, including the facilitated
return of Serb refugees to Croatia, he said.
The US ambassador described Croatia's cooperation with the
International Criminal Tribunal for former Yugoslavia (ICTY) as
positive. The United States believes that the punishment of
individuals for their crimes is necessary, without jeopardising
the legitimacy of Croatian forces' liberation operations, he said.
Cooperation with The Hague must proceed without raised tones, he
added.
The ambassador said all US assistance to Yugoslavia after March 31
would be conditional on Belgrade's cooperation with the Hague
tribunal. He would not speculate on possible measures to be taken by
Washington should Belgrade continue refusing ICTY's requests but
stressed the US government was bound by the already adopted legal
measures which envisaged sanctions against countries refusing to
cooperate with the tribunal.
(hina) sb rml